Cleanaway's Western Sydney Energy & Resource Recovery Centre

I object to this project for the following reasons:
1. Australian governments need to be carefully researching the experience of European countries which have implemented waste from energy projects that use incineration. The waste industry points to the adoption in European countries of the technology Cleanaway is proposing, but it is now the case that Europe is moving away from it because of its contribution to air pollution and contamination of the food chain with dioxins and furans.
2. There is no way to burn waste safely - there are always toxic wastes left to pollute the environment.
3. There is no safe level of air pollution. If this incinerator project goes ahead it is likely to be followed quickly by other projects in the Sydney Basin. Air flows in the Sydney Basin have been shown to accumulate pollution in the most populous region of the country. This would in time result in increased levels of respiratory and other health problems in that population. The Western Sydney region will see a serious decline in health and wellbeing if incineration projects are added to the already significant impacts of climate change.
4. It would be a mistake to lock in the current investment by the waste industry in the production of waste, much of it single use products for which there are effective alternatives. While we have what the industry claims is a quick fix for waste then industries have no incentive to reduce waste and build into their planning the avoidance of as much waste as possible and the safe reuse or recycling of the rest.
5. I support the development of a circular economy with the goal of zero waste as soon as possible.
I ask that the Department reject this project because of its long and short term dangers to the health of people in the Sydney Basin and also in the interests of planning and developing a safe and clean future for the people of NSW.

I worry that peoples health will be affected by this incinerator so close to our community. This is our homes and who knows what the long term effects could be. They are pushing the fact they will be able to power thousands of homes with this but at what cost, there is safer and greener ways to get energy. And what about the value of our homes, is anyone going to compensate us if house prices drop because no one will want to buy near a huge safety hazard like this and if one company gets permission it will open the floodgates for others, I have heard up to 5 companies could apply, do you want to live near that and risk your families health. Western Sydney is beautiful with our parkland and waterways please don't risk destroying them.

Our family live, work and go to school right next to the proposed incinerator and are very concerned with how it will effect our health and air quality.

I would like to add my objection to this project proceeding on a number of considerations. Western Sydney already suffers from considerable pollution from traffic and industry, not to mention the increased burn-off that often creates a smoke blanket over the area, sometimes for days. Cleanaway's reputation does not support its claims of the proposed incinerator being 'safe'. In the Financial Review of October 12, 2020, there was a story reporting the findings of EPA NSW which does not make me confident that this Company has the capacity to be responsible in reporting truthfully and if the incinerator was to proceed, in maintaining safety for the community. Some of the issues raised by the EPA included "Cleanaway Waste Management's self-professed "zero harm" safety philosophy has been called into question by the NSW government's Environmental Protection Authority, which has blasted the company over concerns about its "management of its operations" and the approach and knowledge of employees about environmental safety.
The NSW EPA has also slapped Cleanaway, Australia's largest waste management company, with a raft of licence conditions, show cause notices, warning letters and advisory letters after uncovering "consistent areas of concern" following an inspection blitz of 26 company sites in late June." The article went on to list a swathe of failures in all Cleanaway's facilities, bar one.
How can this company be trusted to build and maintain an incinerator which will burn toxic waste?
My husband and I are long-time residents of Rooty Hill; we have seen many changes, some positive and some not so. We choose to live in this area, we raised our family here and have our grandchildren visit. Local Councils have invested time, resources and finances in developing the Western Sydney Regional Parklands; we are encouraged to get out and exercise, walk, cycle and be healthier - breathing in toxic fumes seems to be somewhat ironical.
We, like other families have concerns about the increasing pollution generated by increased population, traffic and industry. We do not need this incinerator to add to other things already causing issues for people's health. I urge the NSW Government to consider very carefully any plans to allow any incinerators being build and operating in Western Sydney.

I am a 59 year old who already has asthma. The proposed incinerator will add to my health issues. We are located in a hollow in the Sydney Basin and the air quality here is progressively becoming worse over the years.
The added fume emissions from this added incinerator will be detrimental to my health. Please accept my objection to the proposal as an urgent and important matter.

See Attached Letter and documentation

The proposal does not factor in the relevant impacts to the climate and local environment. There are signficiant opportunities for pollution incidents which are beyond the scope and expertise of enforcement authorities as the technology is unproven, investigative tools are under-developed, and ongoing management of the pollution would be near impossible to mitigate if the development was to proceed. There are examples of waste facilities using identicial technologies overseas, these facilities have been found to contribute to significant air pollution in their countries of operation, poor air quality including release of carcinogenic by-products of waste combustion were found in the European models and similar facilities operating in China. In these case studies, the environmental protection strategies had failed. In the absence of reliable data and studies of the long term impact of such facilities on climate change, the environment and public health, the proposal should not be supported and doing so would be to the detriment of the citizens of Sydney. The supplied EIS and supporting environmental assessments include under-developed strategies indentical to those that failed in the waste combustion/power generating facilities in the European and Asian models.

I am very against this project. The world is already experiencing so many calamities as a result of global warming. Such a project as this will only contribute to further warming of the earth as well as damaging the environment we live in. We must find more sustainable alternatives to destroy our waste.

Incinerators present a health and environmental risk to those around it.
The word 'minimise' seems to be used with regards to emissions, and the fact that Cleanaway has been warned by NSW EPA does not inspire confidence.
Western Sydney already has a stigma and incinerator(s) regardless of whether they are good or bad will perpetuate that.
And further more the negative socioeconomic impact of residents in the wide proximity of the proposed incinerator.
We should be endeavouring to reduce waste and incinerators would inherently be counter productive.
The ACT has moved to ban "thermal treatment" of waste and as such NSW should consider the same.
Rather then requiring passionate residents to object every time an incinerator is proposed.
Community First.

I am a 55 year old mother living in St Clair, working fulltime with chronic illnesses - asthma, fibromyalgia & hypermobility syndrome. When I'm not at work I love being outdoors & relaxing. This incinerator would put an end to my health & my job!!!!!!

This project is a major health hazard to residents.

As I live in Minchinbury, this would emit fumes in our area & I oppose this incinerator

On hot days the smell from the current tip is already quite overpowering as a particular wind direction pushes it over our house which is only a few kilometres away from the tip. Also , the Rooty Hill Steel Mill which was built many years ago now is constantly emitting white smoke into the air above our suburb and surrounding area. This fine white dust constantly enters our house through open windows and doors and settles on everything in our house , furniture , floors , carpets , bathroom , beds , blinds , curtains " everything ". We couldn't stop that constant smell of dust in the air since the steel mill was built ( we have been here for 26 years ) and therefore our lungs which will lead to ill health as we get older. We don't want anymore pollution in our Rooty Hill air. STOP this project please. How about creating another tip away from " suburbia " please.

The project is in clear violation of the health and well being of people who live here. This is irrational and will have a disastrous economic impact.

We have already objected to this type of proposal before, even though it was much larger. We still have the same environmental concerns. It was rejected by Blacktown Council and the NSW government and the people of Blacktown Council area. Burning hazardous materials from commercial projects is a massive environmental concerns for residents of the area. Should not be built in a populated area amongst housing .

There needs be a more thought-out plan in place for the handling the waste ash, and the location chosen for this project is inappropriate.

In the present plan, waste ash is to be used in the unspecified construction projects including roads, and failing that no suitable construction projects can be found, to be simply disposed off at landfill. Considering the toxic nature of the ash, this is a very unsafe strategy. Roads in particular degrade over time, resulting in the release of contained materials, which would include the ash, into the environment. This happens particularly when they're exposed to rain, which will mean that it is only a matter of time before the toxic ash is washed into our waterways. Any other construction project poses similar complications.

The plan also includes for an allowance for the ash to be disposed of in landfill. Where, wind could easily pick up and scatter the ash, spreading it into our environment and air. We cannot allow for such a plan to be in place, even if it is described as as the "worst case" scenario. It shouldn't be an option at all!

There needs to be a solid plan in place for the handling of the ash, including specific and detailed deals/agreements/arrangements in place for the proper handling and processing of the ash. Not this flippant disregard for the ash's impact and processing after it leaves the facility!

There is also significant scientific evidence that indicates waste incinerators may be carcinogenic for surrounding population, as well as increasing the severity and occurrence of lung and other breathing issues such as asthma. This has been well documented in Japan, where the population density is greater and tends to be located closer to incinerators, as opposed to those of the EU mentioned in the report. This more closely matches the situation here with the incinerator located so close to Horsley Park.

Further, according to the report, the wind will generally move airborne pollutants from the facility towards the South and South-West. This entire region of Horsley Park is used both as farmland and residential. All these people would be put at risk from exposure to the emissions from this facility. And due to the presence of farms, it doesn't matter how well the pollutants are dispersed, they are almost guaranteed to eventually enter our food supply. And many of the substances being released in the gas are highly toxic to humans, and we should be making every effort to remove as much as possible from our foods, and should not allow any chance for even the smallest amounts to enter it like this.

Environmental impact

Cleanaway is planning to proceed with an incinerator at Eastern Creek which will emit fumes right across Western Sydney and can affect the environment that is why I am lodging this submission opposing the incinerator.

This project will emit fumes right across Western Sydney

Put it in your own back yard! Why should my family suffer all the health issues, devaluation of my property, and the disgusting smell and smoke stacks towering above my house. Put it in the outback or country where it will impact minimal people.