Members of the Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association (JRA) have said they have felt “out of the loop” over plans to build a plastic-to-fuel recycling centre in nearby Hume.
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If approved, the $15 million facility would be able to convert up to 200 tonnes of plastic into petrol, diesel and LPG per day and would be the largest of its kind in Australia.
While residents in neighbouring Macarthur and Gilmore were briefed several weeks ago on the project, members of the JRA were only briefed last Wednesday, two days before submissions on the Environment Impact Statement would close.
JRA president Margot Sachse said many members are concerned over a lack of communication about the project.
“We feel like we’re being left out of discussions and there’s just not enough information about the impacts [of the factory],” she said.
“The consultation has been very much an ACT focus and there was little consideration for a more regional approach.”
She said many Jerrabomberra residents are worried over potential emissions from the site, which would be running 24 hours per day.
“Although we’re about four kilometres away from the site, when the wind blows it doesn’t really matter,” Mrs Sachse said.
Out of the 200 tonnes of plastic that would be processed at the site, 170 would be converted into fuel.
Foy Group, the company behind the project, have downplayed emissions fears over the site, saying it would be the same as a single-home wood fire.
A spokeswoman for the group said emission levels would be similar to the group’s site at Berkeley Vale on the NSW Central Coast.
“There have been no environmental concerns, incidences and zero complaints from the community regarding the [Berkeley Vale] facility," the spokeswoman said.
"Our emissions at the current site are well below the industry standard.”
However, Mrs Sachse said members of the JRA remain unconvinced, with emissions at the site set to be self-monitored.
More than 30 people attended a residents forum on Wednesday about the facility, although many questions were taken on notice by planning staff.
“We should’ve been brought in on the process a lot earlier in the piece,” Mrs Sachse said. “The self-monitoring of emissions is concerning and this site is going to be three times bigger than the one in Berkeley Vale.”
If approved, construction on the facility would begin in October.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
