Parkes EfW opposition
Wiradjuri COUNCIL OF elders
The Parkes Clean Future Alliance recently met with a representative of the Wiradjuri Council of Elders, the traditional custodians of the land on which Parkes, and the proposed incinerator, are located.
The Wiradjuri Elders are strongly opposed to the proposed Energy-from-Waste incinerator in Parkes, warning that the development threatens culturally significant Wiradjuri Country. The facility would cause irreparable harm to land of deep cultural and spiritual importance — land that holds ancestral stories, sacred sites, and living connections.
The Parkes Clean Future Alliance stands in full support of the Wiradjuri Elders and their right to protect Country from industrial development that disregards cultural heritage, public health, and the environment. The Parkes Clean Future Alliance committee assisted in connecting the representative of the Wiradjuri Elders with the Environment Defenders Office who will provide vital legal and strategic support.
The Wiradjuri Elders are strongly opposed to the proposed Energy-from-Waste incinerator in Parkes, warning that the development threatens culturally significant Wiradjuri Country. The facility would cause irreparable harm to land of deep cultural and spiritual importance — land that holds ancestral stories, sacred sites, and living connections.
The Parkes Clean Future Alliance stands in full support of the Wiradjuri Elders and their right to protect Country from industrial development that disregards cultural heritage, public health, and the environment. The Parkes Clean Future Alliance committee assisted in connecting the representative of the Wiradjuri Elders with the Environment Defenders Office who will provide vital legal and strategic support.
NSW Farmers - Parkes/Forbes Branch
At the branch meeting on Tuesday, 6th May 2025, the Parkes-Forbes branch of NSW Farmers passed a motion to strongly oppose the development of energy-from-waste (EFW) incineration facilities in NSW. Members raised serious concerns about the potential impacts on air quality, soil health, and the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our region.
The motion will now be put forward to the NSW Farmers State Conference, where it will be debated and voted for adoption as official policy. If successful NSW Farmers will advocate for its members in fight against EFW.
SUE HIGGINSON MP
We’re pleased to share that Greens MP Sue Higginson’s office has responded to our concerns about the proposed Energy from Waste (EFW) facility planned for Parkes.
Her colleague Dr Amanda Cohn, who holds the waste portfolio for the NSW Greens, has now joined the conversation and will be working with us to push back on this proposal. We’ve been offered direct support, and planning is underway for a meeting to coordinate efforts.
Thank you to Sue’s team and to everyone who continues to speak out and stand up for the health of our community, our farmland, and our future.
Dr Amanda Cohn MLC
We’ve now been contacted by Dr Amanda Cohn MLC’s office, and her team has confirmed they’re here to support us. A big thank you to Dan Reid from Sue Higginson’s office for making the connection!
COUNCILLOR JOY PADDISON - Parkes Shire Council
Councillor Statement: My Position on the Proposed Energy-from-Waste Facility
Please note this post reflects my personal views as a councillor, shared in good faith as part of my commitment to transparency and open engagement. Other councillors may hold different views, and I respect their right to consider the matter carefully and consult with residents. Let’s continue to extend kindness and respect to one another—including to the families who support our elected representatives.
On 18 March 2025, Parkes Shire Council unanimously supported a motion relating to the EPA’s Energy from Waste Options Paper. That motion endorsed the principle of Energy-from-Waste infrastructure being permissible in the Parkes SAP—not any specific development. It also stressed the need for strict environmental standards and a host levy to benefit the community.
Since then, I’ve reviewed more information—reports, expert commentary, international case studies, and community feedback. After careful consideration, I’ve come to a clear position:
I do not support the proposed Energy-from-Waste facility for Parkes. Here’s why:
Environmental & Agricultural RiskBiomonitoring studies in Europe have shown that incinerator emissions, including dioxins, can accumulate in the environment and food chain. As an agriculture-based economy, Parkes depends on clean air, safe soil, and public confidence in our produce.
Public Health EvidenceA 2021 peer-reviewed review in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health warned:• “New incinerators should be located away from areas of food production.”• “Food grown near an incinerator should be avoided.”These conclusions were used to help shape NSW EPA policy—including bans in Sydney, the Illawarra, and the Hunter. That exclusion didn’t extend to Parkes, and I believe that’s unacceptable.
Waste Forecasts Don’t Support ItThe NSW Waste and Circular Economy Plan forecasts big drops in residual waste. If those goals are met, this facility may not be viable long-term—financially or environmentally.
Regional Communities Shouldn’t Be the Dumping GroundIt’s time to ask whether regional NSW is being treated fairly when it comes to managing Sydney’s waste. We deserve a voice in these decisions—not just the burden.Guided by Parkes Shire’s Strategic Plan.
As councillors, we are bound to apply social justice principles in our decisions:• Are outcomes equitable for all residents?• Do people have fair access to information?• Are we protecting future generations?
What’s NextI will soon upload the information I’ve gathered, including correspondence from Parkes Clean Future Alliance. I also await a response to questions I submitted to the EPA.
Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to discuss this further. Thank you for reading, thinking critically, and being part of this important conversation.