Protest against Lara incinerator announced

OPPONENTS of the proposed waste-to-energy facility in Lara have announced they will hold a public protest in the town next weekend.

Prospect Hill International (PHI) proposes to incinerate up to 400,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill annually at the facility and produce enough energy to power up to 50,000 homes.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) granted a development licence in December last year.

To be held at Austin Park, the ‘Community Unity’ event on August 4 from 10am will feature addresses by politicians from all three levels of government and across the political spectrum.

Protest organiser Charles Street said last week that a chimney at the incinerator would be bigger than the light towers at GMHBA Stadium, with the top of the chimney 80m in the air.

“This toxic incinerator will be a human and environmental disaster, and the community is shocked and outraged that the government could approve such a toxic monstrosity in the heart of one of Victoria’s most important residential growth corridors,” Mr Street said.

“Incineration produces greenhouse gasses, and the main combustible component of garbage is plastic.

“The government refuses to address legitimate community concerns about air and water quality and the impact on crops, farms and the environment.”

Mr Street said the project was not referred to a Victorian government minister for an Environmental Effects Statement.

“For a project of this scale and impact, the EPA should have made that referral, but failed to do so,” he said.

“The EPA claim the concept of ‘social licence’ is important to them, but this project has none.

“Community consultation has been very poor. The EPA conducted three public submission periods, but the numerous problems with the Lara big incinerator proposal were not addressed.”

He said the EPA did attempt to explain its decision at the Lara Golf Club on December 12, but representatives from PHI were not present.