Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility

I object to the project. it is not the appropriate site for the intended facility, too close to the Moss Vale township, too close to schools, to a preschool, too big in scope and scale to be located so close to the township. There are many critical infrastructure issues, community and environmental health issues, safety issues, traffic concerns, water and fire issues - the proposal must be rejected. The documentation reads as it the proponent is making it up as he/she goes along. Badly done and contemptuous of the Moss Vale and wider community. My submission is attached.

Rachel Russell
555 Penrose Road
Penrose NSW 2579

APPLICATION No. SSD-9409987
I OBJECT to the Plasrefine proposal.

I oppose the Plasrefine development. I am concerned this proposal has even been allowed to reach planning stage, when it has not been demonstrated that GHD has resolved issues of access to the site. There is currently no evidence GHD has agreement with the relevant landowners who reside at 77 Beaconsfield Rd, 13-17 Lackey Rd, the Garvin Institute, or Wingecarribee Shire Council (WSC) that would enable GHD to presume they would be able to utilise Braddon Road. WSC has categorically stated to GHD that Beaconsfield Road is unsuitable as an access road for industrial use: GHD do not have permission to use this road, despite public comment that they will use it if they cannot gain access through Braddon Road.

On the basis of the failure of GHD to transparently and accountably follow NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) Secretaries Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEAR) procedure with their failure to secure site access prior to advancement of the project, I would ask that this proposal be rejected immediately rather than allowed to progress. The community have been forced to deal with a vexatious and what could be seen as aggressive proposal. The Plasrefine proposal has placed them under an unacceptable degree of duress and upset with the thought they could have heavy industry within such a close proximity to their homes (some of them life-long), and has the further potential to threaten their health and safety should an accident occur. Consequently even as a proposal it is causing significant harm to their well-being.

Further, if a Chinese shelf company such as GHD, with no other investments in Australia, is prepared to cut corners and only pretend to tick critical boxes in the application for development, this does not demonstrate the integrity required to be granted permission to run a high-risk operation of this scale.
This concern is validated when research shows that one of the key parties involved, a Beijing-based businessman Lyu Yalin, owns companies that have faced censure from Beijing’s Environmental and Ecological Bureau. A number of close neighbours have only recently been informed, not by the company but by letterboxing on behalf of the community fighting this. GHD has demonstrated a lack of transparency by changing the proposal and figures relating to the development on a number of occasions without notice, so requiring constant community vigilance.

The WSC Development Control Plan (DCP) specifically zones this land as general industrial (IN1) in our 2010 LEP. Also on this site is a Conservation Zone (C4). It is set within the boundary of the township. The general industrial zoning only allows for light industrial activity. The reason for this involves proximity to residential areas, whereas the scope of the Plasrefine proposal is Heavy Industry. Therefore this proposal does not meet respectful standards for approval. While it is acknowledged in a general sense that a Development Control Plan (DCP) can be viewed by the State Government as a guideline only, it is important to note that WSC has consistently applied our DCP. This lack of consideration and respect for the needs and aspirations of the local community is a further mark against the character of this company, particularly when it is seeking our public monies to pursue its development.

Proximity to residential areas also raises issues of pollution emanating from the facility. For example, there is nothing in the EIS which would assure any resident nearby that noxious odours which arise from the transport of rubbish with food scraps are adequately contained within a shed with roller doors which open multiple times each day. The potential of bright light pollution into the residential area has similarly not been addressed, despite this being a requirement of the SEARS to address this issue.

This site does not have the infrastructure to support this development. The roads in this area are poorly constructed, and WSC has publicly stated they are not suitable for frequent heavy truck movements. The traffic assessment was completed during a period of the COVID pandemic and so is not a true and accurate reflection of normal conditions. Further, trucks carrying waste from the site were not included in GHD’s calculations. The capacity of WSC sewerage treatment plants to manage a projected 15,000 litres per day of waste water is not assured, and also raises issues about contamination of micro plastics into the landscape, environment, and Sydney’s water supply.

It is quite clearly not the right site for such a development, and not the right company. With so many critical infrastructure issues, practicalities, and community health and safety issues not adequately addressed, one can only assess this proposal to be a sloppily prepared justification for a thought bubble as to how to best access Australian public money to make a quick buck. The Plasrefine proposal by GHD needs to be rejected outright.

I object to the proposed Plasrefine project in Moss Vale on the basis that The Southern Highlands, and more specifically the proposed location is unsuitable for a plastic recycling facility.
I hasten to add that I do not have any issue with the relevance and importance to recycle plastic.
My objection relates to a number of factors relevant to The Southern Highlands:
1. The alarming volume and scale of heavy traffic entering and exiting The Southern Highlands (Berrima, Moss Vale, Bowral, Robertson and Mittagong) supplying recyclable plastic and chemicals then removing toxic waste and processed plastic- would have a significant impact on roads, noise, traffic and safety. 100 movements/day from 20 tonne heavy haulage trucks. It is a simple fact that trucks accessing the site from Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra (later Victoria) will take routes that are quickest. Planned/proposed routes through the SH will simply be ignored over time impinging on suburban roads and town routes.
2. Water usage and the strain put on the sewerage system in handling the sheer volume of water requirements. Indications by GHD that '80% of water will be harvested and recycled on site' are misleading and simply not true.
3. Proposed access to the site and related roads that need to be constructed require private land purchase. This has not yet been finalised so the road to the site is a serious issue which has many elememts to it. How could the proposal have progressed this far without this vital requirement still pending?!
4. A plant of this magnitude requires fire fighting resources on a scale not available in The Shire. Plastic recycling plants have a bad reputation internationally for being fire-prone. How will this be addressed?
5. Toxic chemicals and gasses are released in processing and heating/moulding plastic. The environmental and health issues associated with this where a plant of this size and magnitude abuts residential areas is of serious concern!
6. The Southern Highlands is well known throughout NSW as a pristine, beautiful location with magnificant vistas and unique wildlife. This is hardly the right location for a 7 hectare, 18m high facory facility which will not only be an eyesore, but produce toxic waste, noise, odours and high industrial scale traffic - while consuming and expending vasts amounts of water.

In summary the location for a facility of this size and purpose should not be located adjacent to residential areas in the SH.
Regards

I strongly object to this facility and the detrimental impacts it will have on my community and local environment. Some of the points making this an inappropriate development of this nature and scale is, this close to residents, the town and the sensitivities of the ecological environment on the site, not to mention inadequate infrastructure to support the facility without severe detrimental effects to the immediate and wider community. This will have enormous detrimental effects on the Moss Vale, Burradoo and Bowral community as the plastic ‘sludge’ will be disposed at the Bowral waste facility which recently were served a huge fine for non compliance. The Bowral facility on Kiama street has residents in dismay due to pungent odours which will only worsen if extra plastic sludge which will contain animal proteins and can be highly volatile and putrid. The July / August South Westerly winds will blow emissions from the facility straight over Burradoo, Chev and Bowral.

The proposed development comes off the back of China banning the process, and importation of plastic waste due to toxic effects on the environment and no commercial value in the process, Australia isn’t quite there yet! Chinese investment interests are funding the development and the primary investor, Mr. Lyu has been decommissioned in Beijing for non compliance with environmental protection standards on multiple occasions.

If the DP were to go ahead it would have catastrophic effects on the socioecological nature of the Wingecarribee Shire, and our Southern Highlands. There are infinite points of opposition to the DP, some of which I have included in the document attached. I have also included an image of the intended site. You will see how inappropriate a development of this nature and scale is, this close to residents, the town and the sensitivities of the ecological environment on the site, not to mention inadequate infrastructure to support the facility without severe detrimental effects to the immediate and wider community. This will have enormous detrimental effects on the Moss Vale, Burradoo and Bowral community as the plastic ‘sludge’ will be disposed at the Bowral waste facility which recently were served a huge fine for non compliance. The Bowral facility on Kiama street has residents in dismay due to pungent odours which will only worsen if extra plastic sludge which will contain animal proteins and can be highly volatile and putrid. The July / August South Westerly winds will blow emissions from the facility straight over Burradoo, Chev and Bowral.

Based on ecological evidence of the toxic by-products of the plastic processing plants, the corrupt nature of investors in the group, and the fact that in other countries in the world this form of plastic processing is banned, I strongly oppose this project going ahead.

Due to the risks to our local environment, health of myself and all of the local citizens I strongly object to this Development in my home town of Moss Vale.
The risks of toxic waste and toxins produced into the air we breathe from this type of facility which we suffer from westerly winds would mean this would blow right over our township, farmland etc.
This would be a major concern for the welfare and health of all wildlife, farm animals and citizens residing in this local area.
I strongly object to this development

I am making this submission on behalf of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, parent company of the Australia BioResources Pty Ltd located adjacent to the development site. The submission is attached.

I would like to submit my objection to this development. I agree that there is need for a plastics recycling facility in Eastern Australia, but this is absolutely the wrong site. It is located just 2.17kms from the town centre. Close to residential property’s and schools.
I also draw your attention that the proposed site has no road access and is extremely close a riparian waterway that flows directly into the Wingecarribee river. The mere size of this development will have a huge environmental impact on the community.
It will be operating 24 hrs. Trucks will be coming from Canberra, Sydney and Wollongong. Truck movement will be 100 per day. The roads are not built to withstand heavy industrial trucks. Moss Vale already has a problem with traffic and road conditions this will exacerbate the problem.
The emissions from the processing is an environmental hazard. It is know globally that there is by product of plastic dust and chemicals which is a health hazard. Where do they propose to dump the waste product such as sludge from the washing process.
The size of the development is another issue. A building covering 6 hectares and 18 metre high. What an environment impact on the residents and the landscape
This is the Southern Highlands. This development will have a negative impact on health and well being of our community and tourism.

It’s unsafe, the owner hasn’t got any credentials about the project; the pollution could be heavy, the noise and traffic will be unbearable. The site is in Sydney drinking water catchment area and water contamination is a worrying aspect.

I would like to express my views why I strongly object to the planned development proposal for the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility.

The site will directly impact myself and family for many reasons.

Firstly the health concerns the proposed site will create such as water and air quality as well as the unknown health risks the toxic fumes the site will create. This will not only effect my families health but also the health of many children as the site is closely located to a daycare centre and Primary School.

The safety of our children and others on the road, is of concern as many large haulage trucks and vehicles will be using these roads to access the site. This traffic will pass directly by our front door and the daycare centre and school. These roads are not equipped for this amount of traffic. Our will put the safety of our children at huge risk.

The site will also be a visual eye sore. With potential to be viewed from our property.
This will clearly impact the aesthetic’s of our property and surrounding environment. This will impact the value of our property.
The potential site will also effect natural wildlife and pasture lands.

If this site is approved it will have serious impacts on our family living in such proximity as well as the whole Moss Vale community.
I strongly oppose the site for this development.
It is clearly the wrong site.

Bridget Alves

Pleas refer to the attached PDF.

I consider the Plasrefine project is in the wrong location.
It will be within the Moss Vale town boundary. It will be within 150-200m from existing homes. The site has two incompatible zones viz Conservation (C4) and 7.7ha of General Industrial. The existing town roads, Beaconsfield Rd, Lytton Rd, Parkes Rd are not suitable for heavy vehicles either for the project construction and operational purposes. There is no detail ( including ownership and construction design ) of the proposed access road from Lackey Road. This road is essential for any construction and operational purposes to remove vehicle movement from local roads mentioned above.
Other issues are:-
Noise- 24 hr operation, 7 days per week.
Water and Air Quality.
THIS PROJECT SHOULD BE LOCATED DIRECTLY OFF AND ADJACENT TO A MAIN ROAD SUCH AS THE HUME HIGHWAY SO THAT OPERATIONAL AND CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES DO NOT NEED TO TRAVERSE LOCAL ROADS.

I want to register my opposition to the proposed Plasrefine development in Moss Vale. I live less than two kilometers from the proposed site and am horrified at how inappropriate this development would be for our community. The beauty and tranquility of this pastoral area would be totally destroyed if Plasrefine is allowed to go ahead. The increasing traffic within several kilometers of the proposed site would overwhelm Moss Vale and damage the road infrastructure. The impact on the local natural and social environment would be disastrous if the Plasrefine development is approved. There must be far more appropriate locations for this development to take place without such horrendous impact on a local community. I appeal to the NSW Government Planning Group to do the right thing for the citizens of Moss Vale and the Southern Highlands and deny this development application.

I oppose the proposed Plasrefine development in Moss Vale on a number of grounds. The proposed site of the factory is too close to both residential properties and to the township of Moss Vale which would have a particularly detrimental effect on air quality and also the visual aesthetic of the area. The potential for effects on local waterways from a site so close to the Wingecarribee River is also significant. The development will also result in a significant increase in traffic, particularly heavy traffic, on roads that already struggle to cope with the existing volume of traffic. This would also result in a significant increase in noise from both increased traffic and from the factory operation. The increased traffic, noise, air pollution and the negative aesthetic impact of this development would also have significantly reduce the appeal of the area to tourists, currently a major contributor to the economy of the area. Therefore, due to the negative affects on residents, the environment, the aesthetics of the area and on tourism, I strongly oppose this development.

It is my considered opinion that this is a totally inappropriate development for this site. This site is actually within the town boundaries of Moss Vale and it is important to note that there are 2 schools and 1 kindergarten that will be severely impacted by the 19 metre long heavy vehicle trucks that will be hauling plastic waste and recycled matter to and from the facility from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 7 days a week. The "guesstimation" is that there will be 80 to 100 movements per day, not including the extra 280 movements of light vehicles on local roads. How will this matter be secured and who will be monitoring this? Until a new access road is constructed the only route will be via Lytton and Beaconsfield Roads. There is no detail of the required construction for the proposed access road from Lackey Road. Some land would need to be acquired from the Garvan Institute for construction of this access road. How will this development impact on the Garvan Institute's sensitive operations? The bulk and scale of this building is unacceptable. It is a 6 hectare complex and will be over 5 storeys (18 metres) in height. There are no detailed plans, architectural drawings and diagrams of the factory complexs, only basic concept plans. There is no reference of scale on any concept plan. Wingecarribee Shire Council and other community groups have requested that a Social Impact Assessment be prepared, The applicant has NOT undertaken such an assessment. Consequently the adverse social impact on the community's way of life, health and wellbeing, access to and use of infrastructure, services and facilities and their general amenity have been totally disregarded. Who is the owner of this? Do the Foreign Investment Review Board need to be advised of this development? Is the owner an Australian citizen? In conclusion it is fair to
say that there is a need for such a facility. The closest resident is only 150 metres from this facility. Australia is a large country and there are surely other areas remote from residential zones that would be more suitable for a facility of this type. There are many unanswered questions.

I object to the proposed development in Moss Vale. I believe that the roads that will make up the network required for access were never designed to support the 24/7 access to the site by heavy vehicles. I believe that the site is located too close to current residential areas. I also believe current residents near the area would have never planned to have the constant noise of heavy industrial traffic to encroach upon their lives.

The current infrastructure of the Southern Highlands is already under significant stress with significant population growth and housing development. The roads and road networks are in need of attention. It doesn't matter which direction the industrial traffic for this site comes from, it will have a significant impact on the community and the environment. Added to this, at a time when we are looking at alternative approaches to energy, a multitude of heavy vehicles coming in and out of the Highlands is not going to help our air quality or the environment in general.

The proposed site appears to be within the town boundary I would expect that developments of this size should be far removed from the general locality. If the site is to be built so close to the town of Moss Vale I have serious reservations about the effect of any and all emissions from the site and the effect that this will have on the general populations and the environment.

My understanding was that there area concerned was classified originally as "light-industrial". Nothing that I have heard, or read makes me believe that this is anything of the sort. I believe that the end product will be an unsightly mess that will have a significant impact on the local residents and the general environment.

The Southern Highlands have always been a very popular tourist spot. More so in recent years as Covid has restricted movement of tourists particularly from the Sydney region. The proposed increase of heavy industrial traffic, the noise, and the site itself are not going to help to maintain the popularity of the region. Many former tourist destinations in NSW have been marred by the same issue.

I have lived in the region for a significant part of my life and have witnessed the continued land grab by developers that appear to have no restrictions on what they can do. I am hoping that someone will step in and just this once, put a stop to this.

This development is incompatible and inappropriate with the site that is proposed for the following reasons:

The proposed development is too close to existing residential development.

The proposed building is too large and not in keeping with the surrounding development and area.

Existing roads are not adequate for the number of heavy trucks that will be entering and leaving the site. The proposed new entry road will not address the overall concerns.

Increased traffic will impact the amenity of local residents.

Potential pollution of local waterways.

Potential odour emanating from processing plant and negatively impacting residents in the area.

Potential noise emanating from the processing plant and negatively impacting residents in the area.