Energy-from-waste COUNCIL opposition
AUSTRALIAN COUNCILs
City of sydney
"Waste to energy technology is not a sustainable waste management option as it treats waste as a single use commodity, the City of Sydney will pursue an effective circular economy strategy, prioritising the reduction of waste and, where not possible, a recycling strategy that effectively re-uses waste wherever possible; waste to energy plants contribute to emissions and are not renewable as they depend on single use waste for fuel"
Randwick City Council
Strongly opposes the Matraville incinerator proposal, raising concerns about its potential revival and supporting local campaigns against it, including the Matraville Precinct Committee.
City of Greater Geelong
The City of Greater Geelong council continues to object to the Lara waste-to-energy incinerator, expressing concerns about its proximity to residential areas and potential health and environmental impacts, and advocating for its cancellation.
Merri-bek Council
Merri-bek Council has a policy against supporting thermal waste-to-energy technologies like incineration, and has reaffirmed its opposition to waste-to-energy incineration.
Lithgow Council
Lithgow Council opposed the NSW Government's plan for energy from waste.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council stated its "total opposition" to the Veolia Woodlawn Advanced Energy facility near Tarago.
Blacktown City Council
Blacktown City Council played a key role in opposing the proposed Eastern Creek incinerator.
COMMUNITY FORUMCouncil held a community meeting at the Minchinbury Community Hall, to discuss the Eastern Creek Energy-from-Waste incinerator.
STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATIONBlacktown City Council worked alongside neighboring councils, environmental groups, and local businesses to present a united front against the incinerator. This coalition amplified their advocacy efforts and reinforced the community’s stance against the project.
PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRYThen-Mayor Stephen Bali led a delegation to the NSW Parliament, advocating for a public inquiry into EfW technology. This effort resulted in a parliamentary inquiry that recommended against approving the Eastern Creek incinerator.
COMMUNITY RALLIESBlacktown Council organised and supported community rallies to galvanize public opposition.
The Council’s “Say NO to Eastern Creek Incinerator” rally was held at Minchinbury Oval, which drew significant local participation and featured speeches from political figures, including Federal MP and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
PIVOTAL ROLEThrough real community engagement and representation, persistent legal challenges, political engagement, and community activism, Blacktown City Council played a pivotal role in halting the Eastern Creek incinerator project, safeguarding the health and environment of its residents.
COMMUNITY FORUMCouncil held a community meeting at the Minchinbury Community Hall, to discuss the Eastern Creek Energy-from-Waste incinerator.
STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATIONBlacktown City Council worked alongside neighboring councils, environmental groups, and local businesses to present a united front against the incinerator. This coalition amplified their advocacy efforts and reinforced the community’s stance against the project.
PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRYThen-Mayor Stephen Bali led a delegation to the NSW Parliament, advocating for a public inquiry into EfW technology. This effort resulted in a parliamentary inquiry that recommended against approving the Eastern Creek incinerator.
COMMUNITY RALLIESBlacktown Council organised and supported community rallies to galvanize public opposition.
The Council’s “Say NO to Eastern Creek Incinerator” rally was held at Minchinbury Oval, which drew significant local participation and featured speeches from political figures, including Federal MP and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
PIVOTAL ROLEThrough real community engagement and representation, persistent legal challenges, political engagement, and community activism, Blacktown City Council played a pivotal role in halting the Eastern Creek incinerator project, safeguarding the health and environment of its residents.
Richmond Valley Council
Paused active investigations of EfW facilities and focused on other waste streams like food organics and recycling.
References
- Blacktown City Council - https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Say-NO-to-Eastern-Creek-Incinerator-community-rally, https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/About-Council/Our-initiatives/Energy-from-Waste-Facility-in-Eastern-Creek, https://stephenbali.com.au/news/speeches/eastern-creek-incinerator-defeated/, https://pollutionwatch.org.au/2023/08/finally-malouf-throws-in-the-towel-on-his-waste-to-energy-incinerator-in-western-sydney/, https://www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au/featured/item/2169-rally-puts-state-government-on-notice, https://insidelocalgovernment.com.au/blacktown-mayor-welcomes-new-incinerator-rules/, https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Community-forum-Feb-17-2018
- City of Greater Geelong - https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/planning/news/item/8dd405035393300.aspx
- City of Sydney - Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18 November 2019: Item 13.6 Waste to Energy, City of Sydney, Sydney. Available at: https://meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/documents/s36151/Waste%20to%20Energy.pdf & https://meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=1624
- Goulburn Mulwaree Council - https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/News-Articles/Council-stands-with-Tarago-community-on-energy-from-waste
- Lithgow City Council - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/wallerawang-waste-to-energy-plans-scrapped-nsw/101094346
- Merri-bek City Council - https://climateactionmerribek.org/2024/02/20/consultation-on-wollert-waste-to-energy-plant/ & https://climateactionmerribek.org/2024/10/08/petition-local-mps-support-no-waste-incinerator-at-wollert-merribek-candidates-support-pledge-for-no-burning-plastic/
- Randwick City Council - https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news/news-items/2025/march/council-opposes-law-change-that-could-revive-matraville-incinerator-plans
- Richmond Valley Council - https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/no-energy-from-waste-facility-proposed-for-richmond-valley/