Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre

Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) presented a petition bearing 197 signatures:

Grievance

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws the attention of the Legislative Assembly to our strong objection to the proposal by Cleanaway Operations PTY LTD to construct a waste-to-energy incinerator on Summerhill Road, Wollert, known as MERC.

Residents of Melbourne’s north are concerned about the harm from burning 380,000 tonnes of waste annually. Even with the best available technologies (BAT), dangerous pollutants like dioxins, PFAS, microplastics, and heavy metals will still be emitted, harming children through air, soil, and water contamination. The proposal would also generate greenhouse gases and hazardous ash requiring landfill disposal. The community fears the risks to human health and the environment.

The incinerator would disrupt life in nearby residential areas. Wollert, home to many young families, has 59 ‍schools within 10 km of the site. It is 2 km from a retirement village, 400 metres from Curly Sedge Creek, and close to water reservoirs. Heavy trucks would increase pollution and damage roads, while the 56-metre flue stack would affect air quality, soundscape, and views.

Public opposition is overwhelming. Ninety-nine percent of the 764 EPA submissions rejected the proposal, and over 5,600 people signed a change.org petition. This shows no social licence for MERC in Wollert.

Action

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria call on the government to reject planning permit application number PA2302234 and development licence application APP024914 for the Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre (MERC), ensuring that an unsafe and unnecessary waste incinerator is not imposed on the region.

Ordered that petition be considered tomorrow.