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Ms Carr, along with the members of the Say No to Lara Big Incinerator campaign, are now planning their next steps to determine if they will lodge an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.<\/p>\n
“As a group we know we have a big fight ahead of us, but we are more than willing, and we have a lot of energy to take this on,” Ms Carr said.<\/p>\n
“This is not a good move for our region, and we are worried about the health and safety of children, young people, elderly people in our community, so we will keep fighting.”<\/p>\n
Final approval for the waste-to-energy incinerator now rests with the Victorian government and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.<\/p>\n
Greens MP for Western Victoria, Sarah Mansfield, has blasted the EPA\u2019s decision, citing greenhouse gas emissions and the possibility of negative health outcomes, including respiratory issues and cancer risks.<\/p>\n
She, along with the Victorian Greens, have calling on the state government to halt the facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the flick of a pen Labor could put an end to this disastrous project,\u201d Dr Mansfield said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor decades successive governments have neglected waste and recycling, and now they want to burn the problem and leave the regions to deal with the mess.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s inevitable that these incinerators will end up burning recyclables, plastic and organic waste because there is no commitment from these companies that they will separate the waste they receive.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur planet and people deserve better than short-sighted waste management solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Mansfield will table a petition signed by more than 2000 community members opposing the facility when parliament returns next year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a controversial waste-to-energy incinerator proposed for Lara, granting Prospect Hill International (PHI) a development license. Designed to process 400,000 tonnes of waste destined for landfill each year, the facility has been estimated to generate enough electricity for up to 50,000 homes. Several conditions have been placed on the […]<\/p>\n