Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility

'NO TO PLASREFINE' by Laurence Frankland - age 9 and resident of the Southern Highlands.
I don't think that Plasrefine belongs in the Southern Highlands.
Firstly, that area of Moss Vale is so peaceful and if you put a big factory there, there will be so many big trucks/lorries coming that is won't be peaceful anymore and nobody wants that right? Especially not all the families that live next door.
Secondly, think of all the amazing wildlife like the kangaroos and birds and so many other innocent creatures that didn't ask for a huge factory stuck in the middle of their home!
Thirdly and finally, us kids have the right to be able to breathe fresh air, play in our gardens and ride our bikes near our homes, and will we be able to do all this if we have trucks and a big factory built so close? NO! We are saying NO to Plasrefine!
I hope I have convinced you that saying NO to Plarefine is the best decision for us all.

'No Plasrefine' by Maeve Frankland - age 7 and resident of the Southern Highlands.
I think Plasrefine is a terrible thing because it would affect the environment and change lots of things. I have grandparents near where they want to build an enormous factory. I don't think it's a good idea because there are animals living there and it would destroy their habitat with dirty plastic and bad smells. And it would get into the water where the animals drink from and it's not safe for them, especially the birds and the kangaroos. It would also affect the plants.
When I go to visit my Grandparents' house I love to smell the fresh breeze and it will change if Plasrefine is allowed there. My Grandfather loves gardening and he and my whole family would be upset because the plants wouldn't be healthy anymore. All my experiences are so fun and happy there with the clean air and beautiful trees and all the animals and that would change forever. I love living near my Grandparents and I am worried about my family if the decision is made to put Plasrefine next to my their house. Please don't put it there.

The Moss Vale Plastics Recycling and Reprocessing Facility addresses a critical need in New South Wales, which aligned with NSW Waste Strategy and the ban on waste plastic exports, aiming to revolutionise plastic waste management. With the capacity to recycle up to 120,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year, including mixed plastics and PVC pipes, the facility leverages advanced sorting technologies to divert waste from landfills. It promises to create jobs, boost the local economy, and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

This initiative not only aligns with key national and NSW waste management policies but also offers educational opportunities and environmental benefits. Through community engagement and educational programs, the project strives to enlighten the public about plastic waste's transformative potential. By supporting the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility, we take a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

A submission from Eli Frankland age 5 and resident of the Southern Highlands.

As a clinical psychologist and a concerned resident, I strongly object to the Plasrefine development due to its potential negative impact on the mental health of our local community. The prospect of living near a plastic recycling facility can cause significant stress, anxiety, and fear among residents, especially considering the well-documented health risks associated with such facilities. Constant worry about exposure to pollutants, chemicals, and the possibility of fires can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and even contribute to the development of mental health disorders, including depression. The uncertainty and lack of control over our environment, coupled with concerns about the safety of our families, can erode our sense of security and well-being, leading to increased stress levels and compromised mental health.

During the planning process, GHD's conduct has been a cause for serious concern among residents and stakeholders. Their actions have been described as unethical and deceptive, leading to a significant loss of trust within the community. Residents have criticized GHD for lack of transparency and honesty, especially in providing crucial information related to the Plasrefine proposal. This conduct has raised doubts about the integrity of the entire planning process and has led to heightened anxiety and distress among community members.

If the Plasrefine proposal is approved, the negative mental health impacts on our community are likely to persist and intensify over time. Living in constant fear for our safety and well-being can lead to chronic stress, exacerbating mental health issues among residents. The ongoing presence of the recycling facility would create a persistent source of anxiety, making it difficult for community members to find solace and peace of mind within their own homes. Additionally, the potential for accidents, fires, and exposure to harmful chemicals could result in post-traumatic stress symptoms, further deteriorating the mental health of individuals in the area. The long-term consequences of this project could be devastating, not only for the current generation but for future generations who would grow up under the shadow of these persistent threats to their mental well-being. It is imperative that we prioritize the mental health and overall well-being of our community by rejecting the Plasrefine proposal and ensuring a safe, peaceful living environment for everyone.

I am writing to strongly object to the Plasrefine Plastics Recycling Facility in Moss Vale, with a primary concern for the health and well-being of children and young families in our community. The following points highlight my grave concerns:

** Microplastic Pollution: Plasrefine's operations pose a significant risk to children's health due to the generation of microplastics, potentially causing long-term health issues and developmental challenges. The proximity of the factory to residents and to waterways means that the proliferation of microplastics into our local environment and into the lungs and bodies of our children is inevitable. This inevitability is not something we can accept as a community. The proponent has not demonstrated experience in this high-risk industry and the site is problematic as it will guarantee microplastics impact the lives and well-being of residents.

** Fire Hazards: The increased risk of fires in plastic recycling plants poses severe health risks, especially for children, who are more vulnerable to toxic smoke inhalation, respiratory problems, and chronic illnesses. The fact that there is a demonstrated risk of plastic factories catching fire is another reason that this industry does not belong so close to residents. Kids of the Southern Highlands experienced the fear of uncontrolled fires in our recent history, and putting a known fire risk so close to their homes should not be allowed to happen.

** Water Contamination: Potential water contamination from Plasrefine's operations endangers children and families, who are more susceptible to waterborne illnesses, emphasising the need for a safe water supply. The toxicity of the (inadequately defined) processes proposed, to repurpose plastic waste for profit, will leach into the riparian land and bodies of water on the proposed site. This toxic leaching of chemicals - including forever chemicals - is a critical concern for residents. It will impact local flora, fauna, livestock, produce and drinking water. The impacts of this would be irreversible for future generations. A factory like Plasrefine does not belong on riparian land, near waterways and so close to the homes of families.

** Mental Health Impact: The project's uncertainty has negatively impacted the mental health of local families, leading to anxiety and worry from grandparents to parents to children. The anxiety and worry are not just for the eyesore it will be, the fall in home values, the inconvenience of gridlock traffic on unsuitable residential roads (although this is all true)... the multi-generational anxiety and worry is also about the lack of experience or reputation of the proponent in dealing with toxic chemicals and pollution, the irreversible health and environmental risks and the proximity of this to homes. The proposed site means nearby families are anxious and worried about exposing their children to long-term health and developmental impacts.

** Inadequate Community Consultation: Plasrefine's lack of meaningful engagement disregards the concerns of parents and families, demanding a safe environment for children. Proper consultation is crucial for ensuring community well-being. The ongoing vagueness of plans and processes has required the community to constantly ask for clarity (and yet still, none is provided) and the sense is that details change but the core issues remain unaddressed. The proponent does not have the trust of the community due to the way in which the consultation about the project has been conducted from day one. This distrust is deeply felt by families and has led to a genuine and distressing cynicism about the project. At the centre of this is why this site? A site that has no access and is so close to residents. A question that remains unanswered and avoided.

I urge the Planning Department to prioritise the safety and future of our children and young families by rejecting the Plasrefine development.

I strongly object to this proposal for the State Significant Development by Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd, for the following reasons.

Location and Scale
- Plasrefine has not provided proper explanation how/why the site was selected for operating such a large scale plastics recycling facility. Aside from the fact that is was available land at a cheap price. This seems poorly considered and irrational, the site should have been selected based foremost on suitability.
- Just because the site is zoned for industrial use doesn't mean that ANY type of industrial land use is suitable for the location. General Industrial Zone objective is to minimise any adverse effect of industry on other land uses. This is not feasible considering the scale of operation planned, there is bound to be impact for surrounding areas.

Traffic and Social Impacts
- The traffic impacts have not been assessed adequately. The movement of many large trucks to and from the site would have negative impacts on local traffic, increase noise and pollution levels, as well as impacting the community atmosphere and safety of surrounding towns.
- Noise impacts for surrounding residential areas. No detail provided for assessment of noise pollution, and whether they could even be satisfactorily be managed. There would surely be negative impacts for residents.
- Adverse effect on tourism due to both increased traffic, and the enormous industrial facility that would dominate the landscape. scenic nature of the area (particularly Moss Vale) would be ruined, and would severely impact many of the local businesses that rely on tourism.

Health and Safety Impacts
- Air quality concerns, no details on how this would be managed and it is a concern for local residents as pollution can be carried a long way in the air potentially impacting the health (both human and environmental) of a large surrounding area.
- High risk of fires in plastic processing plants, and the proposed site is surrounded by residential, rural and industrial areas which would be at risk. There is unsatisfactory fire protection + water storage proposed for the facility.
- No water quality monitoring plan for waste, and the development is located on ecologically sensitive land with a watercourse connecting to the Wingecarribee river providing water for Sydney area.

Corporate Concerns
- The Director of Plasrefine has admitted that she has no prior experience in plastic recycling, and neither does CTO Lyu Yalin. This doesn't provide any confidence whatsoever that the company would be able to undertake such a complex and large scale operation.
- Lack of details or proof of careful planning

These are just a few of the many issues this proposal would cause. Overall it is not fit for the proposed Southern Highlands location that is known for its beautiful, peaceful natural environment.

I am writing to express my deep concerns and vehement objection to the proposed Plasrefine development in our community.


Location
The proposed development is entirely unsuitable for the General Industrial Zone under Wingecarribbe Council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP). Plasrefine's categorization as a potentially hazardous and offensive industry contradicts local regulations and is a direct threat to our safety and well-being. The Wingecarribbe Council's non-support for this proposal underscores its incompatibility with our community values and zoning guidelines. Additionally, the lack of assessment under the State Environment Planning Policy 33 (SEPP33) is a significant oversight, raising questions about the adequacy of the proposal's evaluation process. The Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) provided by GHD, spanning versions 1, 2, and 3, have proven to be deeply flawed. Inconsistencies, incorrect statements, and misleading information within these documents highlight a lack of transparency and reliability in the data presented. This raises serious concerns about the authenticity of the information being provided to decision-makers, making it impossible for them to grasp the full scope of the development's consequences.

Foreseeable Risks
Moreover, the absence of any adequate assessment of microplastics generated by the proposal is alarming, given the extensive scientific research linking microplastics to severe health issues. Plasrefine's potential to release these harmful microplastics into our environment poses an immediate threat to human health, wildlife, and our precious natural resources. The proposed facility's high demand for water, coupled with the inability to guarantee a stable supply in our water-scarce region, raises concerns about its sustainability and feasibility. Furthermore, the grave risks associated with fires in plastic processing plants, especially in proximity to residential and industrial areas, cannot be ignored. Inadequate fire protection measures and insufficient water storage in case of a fire outbreak pose an imminent danger to our community. The potential impact on our local economy, including tourism, agriculture, hospitality, and various industries, raises serious questions about the long-term viability and sustainability of this development. In granting approval to Plasrefine, the government would be tacitly endorsing these risk. It is the government's responsibility to protect its citizens, and approving a project with such evident and preventable dangers would be a breach of that duty.

Questionable corporate governance
The company that will be responsible for operating the proposed facility will be using out-of-date technology and has no history of running large-scale recycling facilities (and therefore no history of doing so safely and ethically). The operators have disclosed that they chose the site because it was affordable and with no regard given to the surrounding areas. The Principal Technical Director, Mr. Lyu, has a long history of environmental sanctions in China, which raises doubts about his suitability to hold an Environment Protection Licence (EPL) for operating such a facility. There is no evidence that the company has an ability (or commitment) to adhere to environmental standards and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.

I strongly urge the planning department to reject the Plasrefine development. Our community's safety, environmental well-being, and economic stability should be paramount in any decision-making process. Approving a project fraught with such evident dangers and uncertainties would not only be a disservice to the residents but also a breach of the trust we place in our local governing bodies to safeguard our future.

I wish to object to the Plasrefine Plastics Recycling Facility in Moss Vale for the following reasons:
* Air pollution associated with burning and melting plastic. We are scared for the health of our young family and the rest of the community. We enjoy excellent air quality in the Southern Highlands and do not want to spoil it.
*Water pollution - The Plasrefine factory will pollute waterways which are part of the Wingecarribee and Sydney Water catchments. The surrounding lakes, rivers and streams are also vital habitat for native fauna including platypus, native rodents, birds, reptiles and insects.
*Noise pollution - The factory is in close proximity to Moss Vale and we are very concerned about the noise.
* Light pollution
* Busy roads - the local roads cannot handle the planned number of heavy and light vehicles required to service an operation of this scale
* Large Building will spoil the beautiful surroundings, affecting tourism
* There is minimal economic benefit for the local community. Only offshore companies will gain any benefit.

We are deeply frightened about this project and strongly object.

We hope the NSW Government will show the good sense to stop this development and look at other options for both recycling and reducing plastic waste.

Thank you for your consideration

It’s time to end plastic. In the meantime, facilities like this need to be far from humans and ecosystems vulnerable to toxic waste byproducts etc.

As a resident that lives on Beaconsfield I object to the proposed recycling plant due the health risks associated with the toxic fumes and microplastics that will fill the air and no doubt will float over my property and my fellow neighbours causing health issues. I am also concerned for the safety of my children and the children of neighbouring streets whom walk to and from school with the increased movement of trucks throughout our streets. The streets throughout wongecarribee especially Beaconsfield road are not wide enough for two cars to pass let alone two trucks creating a safety concern for children or anyone walking along the side of the road as there is no foot paths or in some places even enough room to move off the road.
Beaconsfields road is a quite peaceful beautiful place and if this monstrosity is build it will loose its tranquillity and beauty.
Moss vale is not the right site

To whom it may concern, I am writing to object to the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility, I live and work only meters from the proposed site. This is not the right site - the water catchment and the runoff from this property into neighboring properties, mine included is a real concern, why this land was ever re-zoned as Industrial land with no access is beyond me, and the fact boarding residential land and agricultural land doesn't make sense blind Freddy can see that. There are more suitable sites for such a facility away from homes, livestock, wildlife, and water catchments I have uploaded a video of water runoff from the proposed site into Dux Hotwater, Dux has a culvert that runs past their factory into stormwater which ends up in Wingecarribee river only a short distance away.

The proposed plastics recycling factory is to be less than 3km from Moss Vale Town Centre and in close proximity to residential areas and schools. The potential for harmful chemicals from the site to impact people here is very high. Also the continual round-the-clock operation would cause considerable noise pollution and a loss of amenity for residents.
The Shire is part of the water catchment area for Sydney and there is significant risk of water pollution from the factory which could impact the lives of the many people depending on that water.
In addition to the direct risks associated with the factory, there is the major problem of traffic congestion and pollution from more than one hundred truck movements per day plus the additional vehicles coming in and out of the site.
Our Shire is not an area of heavy industry, which makes it attractive as a place to live and also a place to visit for people from the Sydney area and the ACT. The establishment of this factory would change this with a subsequent loss of business for those people who depend on tourism and a loss of the lifestyle enjoyed here.
Wingecarribee Shire is seen as one of the areas to accommodate the increasing population of New South Wales so it is incongruous that it should also be considered an appropriate site for a highly polluting industry.

I strongly object to the Plasrefine proposal. - this is simply NOT THE RIGHT SITE for such a facility and was only chosen by the proponents because it was in their budget, and available.
The site has not been zoned for this type of development by the local council - this particular parcel of land is part of the "transitional interface" of the Southern Highlands Innovation Park, and is classified as an enterprise precinct with the intention being it was to be used for light industrial and commercial office space. The proposed plastic recycling facility is neither.
The site is far too small for the proposed scale of the development, with no dedicated road access currently. The building footprint does not leave sufficient space for waiting trucks, parking, or landscape screening to cover the hideous eyesore. The land is part of the local floodplain, and includes a large dam and riparian waterways which flow into the Wingecarribee River, which flows onto Warragamba Dam and the Sydney water supply.
The proponents have no fire plan, nor sufficient water supply to fight fires. They have no experience running such a facility and have admitted to only having visited examples of such a facility in China. He himself (Mr Lyu) has received environmental sanctions in China - what faith could we possibly have that the proposed facility would be operated in a responsible and compliant manner?
The proposed site is right next to the Garvan Institute's mice breeding facility, and would need to have an access road built through their site. This is an environmentally sensitive facility which does important work in medical testing. This cannot be compromised in any way.
The community consultation on the proposed facility has been almost non existent and shambolic at best, with no real answers provided to the numerous concerns raised by the community. The risks to us as residents are huge:
* toxic microplastics being released into the local waterways, which flow directly to Warragamba Dam and Sydney's water supply
* toxic waste and microplastics being released into the air from the chimney stack - what does that hold for our children's future? Will this cause cancer clusters? The proposed methods of the proponents are not tested or documented
* the facility would be located less than 3 km from the town centre of Moss Vale, close to two local primary schools and just a few hundred metres from a childcare facility
* the light and noise pollution from such a large scale facility will be huge
* the facility will require large supplies of town water, which in drought conditions is usually in low supply
* the traffic impacts from the hundreds of trucks scheduled each day to deliver the plastic waste to the facility – travelling through New Berrima and clogging up already congested local roads
* the risk of fire is massive - fires in facilities such as these appear to be frequent occurrences. Our local fire service does not have the expertise to fight such a fire, and the nearest HAZMAT team is approximately one hour away. Given the surrounding bush areas to the proposed site, the risk of such a fire developing into a major bush fire is immense. Living just a few streets away from this proposal, I would be extremely worried for my life and my property should a fire occur. A fire would also release toxins into the air and the water ways, causing massive detriment to the environment.
The Southern Highlands is not the place for such heavy industry as this. People move here for the clean air, the rural aspect, and life style. The proposed truck route through New Berrima is also a prime entry point for tourists from the Hume Highway - what a welcome they would have being caught up in the constant truck movements.
This would be a major blight on our landscape, affecting tourism, wedding venues, and local food/wine/honey production. We do not want to look like Port Kembla!
This facility is much better suited on land located directly adjacent to a major road or highway, with direct access for the trucks. It should also be operated by those with experience and proven track record in the safe and compliant operation of such a facility.
There does not appear to be any benefit to the local community from the facility - the job creation is negligible with most tasks being automated, and those that require staff being unskilled tasks.
This is simply NOT THE RIGHT SITE and NOT THE RIGHT PROPONENTS.

Plasrefine Objection

Company History
The company has indicated (through its director) that it has no experience in plastics recycling nor does its operator. This presents an unacceptable risk to the environment and the community.

Environmental Impact

Residential Development
The residential area of Moss Vale and it’s surroundings have increased and are planned to increase significantly in residential developments and as indicated in the Wingecarribee Shire Councils website, the 6 new living areas that have been identified with 1500+ new dwellings which are planned for the area. With such an increase in residential development Plasrefine presents an unacceptable risk to the future of our existing and developing community.

Pollution

Water usage and waste
It has been indicated that Plasrefine will require between 5500 and 15500 litres of water per day.

Wingecarribee Reservoir
Capacity 30GL
Current Dam level 61% (as at 1st of November 2023)

One local resident’s household consumption of water is approximately 97 Litres, meaning Plasrefine would be using between 57 to 160 household’s worth of water per day. This presents an unacceptable risk to our water supply security and ultimately to the community predominantly due to the climate change risks and within recent times of the extreme and severe drought conditions that the area experienced over five years ago and with the current El Niño classification we will be experiencing drought conditions in the near future.

Waste
Plasrefine has indicated that it will expel around 2,500 litres of sewerage and 10,000 litres of waste water per day. The current waste water treatment facilities will not be capable of treating the waste with the anticipated future residential development as well as Plasrefine. This presents an unacceptable risk to the community.

Plasrefine have indicated that they will dispose of approximately 10,000 tonnes of residue and waste filters per day. Where will the toxic waste be disposed? The transportation of this toxic waste through residential streets and not directly bypassing residential areas presents an unacceptable risk to the community.

Traffic
It has been indicated that there will be upwards of 340 truck and vehicle movements in and out of the site. This presents an unacceptable risk to the local residents, schools, businesses and traffic.

Development

Site
The site has been poorly chosen, is too small, too close to residential, rural and environmentally sensitive areas and is also in a mixed zoned area and not a specific heavy industrial zone. It is not fit for purpose. As such Plasrefine presents an unacceptable risk to the community and the environment and should under no circumstances be allowed to proceed in Moss Vale or the Southern Highlands.

Please see attached my objection to the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility.
Erin Foley

I strongly oppose the intended site of the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling facility (SSD - 9409987). I am a member of the Moss Vale community and a nearby resident. This facility is an environmental threat to our community. The Moss Vale Plastic Recycling Facility intended site is within the Sydney Water Catchment area that provides high quality drinking water. The proposed site is also adjacent to the Garvan Institute that conducts Medical research on an international scale. The Garvan site will be adversely affected by the construction and ongoing manufacturing processes from the Plastic's site if the proposal is to be approved thus risking the quality of research that is conducted within the Garvan Institute.
Scientific evidence strongly reports the negative impacts of plastics recycling. As per Brown et al (2023), there is a research and knowledge gap in understanding how plastic recycling facilities may contribute to environmental pollution, further research is required. Plastic recycling facilities use processes whereby plastics are broken down, granulated, pelletised for re-processing. The processes that breakdown plastics include mechanical friction and abrasion and increase the existence of microplastics in the waste water that is discharged. As the proposed site is part of the Sydney water catchment this would threaten and contaminate drinking water supplies that so many people consume. Microplastics can absorb and later release environmentally detrimental contaminants such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene which are known to often have fatal effects on organisms of all sizes, many of these substances can be detected in human blood (Brown et al, 2023). Atmospheric microplastic particles can be linked to respiratory disease in humans. Air quality for the facility workers, neighbouring residents and those downwind (the area is well known for prevailing westerly winds) in the greater Moss Vale, Burradoo and Bowral areas will be adversely affected by potentially life threatening, hazardous contaminants.
As per a report prepared by The Australian Institute investigating detrimental impacts of a prior proposed Coal Mine, the area relies on groundwater supplies for various agricultural pursuits including viticulture, cropping, livestock enterprises, native vegetation and gardens. The Southern Highlands is a known tourist destination with many vineyards and cellar doors that rely on clean water and air quality to ensure their businesses thrive, this proposal could cause economic harm to not only these businesses but also the local tourism industry. The Southern Highlands has the image of a beautiful, 'clean and green' area that will be adversely impacted if this 'dirty', heavy industry proposal were to be approved. The University of Wollongong has invested infrastructure in Moss Vale, with the aim of introducing further courses including Nursing to its curriculum to aid health and aged care capacity in the local aging population. Students may be deterred from living, studying or attending placements in an area where a hazardous facility is located. There has been limited community engagement with people or businesses to really determine the full impact of this proposal by the representative (GHD) of Plasrefine.
Personally, this proposal if it were to be approved, would have dire effect on the value of our lifestyle with specialist equine breeding livestock, our physical and mental health and our overall way of life and the value of our land. We were cautious not to invest in a property near heavy industry and now we have this proposal literally in our backyard!!!
There is also the greater burden of increased heavy vehicle access to the area via the township of New Berrima on already poor road infrastructure. With the increase in trucks each day, there will be a greater waiting time at the rail crossings, and further damage to the road structure. The increase in heavy vehicles will also increase the risk of injury and death to our local and treasured wildlife including ducks, turtles and kangaroos that live within the Southern Highlands and this proposed site.
The proposal does not align with the intended objectives of the Corridor zoning which included taking into consideration potential impacts on neighbourhood amenities and character nor impact the efficient operation of the local road systems.
There are many more inconsistencies within the proposal and the site location. Just because the land was cheap does not mean it is the best site for the facility or the Southern Highlands community.

References:
Brown, B, MacDonald, A, Allen, S, & Allen, D 2023, The potential for a plastic recycling facility to release microplastic pollution and possible filtration remediation effectiveness, Journal of Hazardous Material Advances.
Campbell, R & McKeon, R 2017, For Hume the bell tolls; local economic impacts of the Hume Coal Project, The Australian Institute: Research that matters.

Plasrefine Objection

Company History
The company has indicated (through its director) that it has no experience in plastics recycling nor does its operator. This presents an unacceptable risk to the environment and the community.

Environmental Impact

Residential Development
The residential area of Moss Vale and it’s surroundings have increased and are planned to increase significantly in residential developments and as indicated in the Wingecarribee Shire Councils website, the 6 new living areas that have been identified with 1500+ new dwellings which are planned for the area. With such an increase in residential development Plasrefine presents an unacceptable risk to the future of our existing and developing community.

Pollution

Water usage and waste
It has been indicated that Plasrefine will require between 5500 and 15500 litres of water per day.

Wingecarribee Reservoir
Capacity 30GL
Current Dam level 61% (as at 1st of November 2023)

One local resident’s household consumption of water is approximately 97 Litres, meaning Plasrefine would be using between 57 to 160 household’s worth of water per day. This presents an unacceptable risk to our water supply security and ultimately to the community predominantly due to the climate change risks and within recent times of the extreme and severe drought conditions that the area experienced over five years ago and with the current El Niño classification we will be experiencing drought conditions in the near future.

Waste
Plasrefine has indicated that it will expel around 2,500 litres of sewerage and 10,000 litres of waste water per day. The current waste water treatment facilities will not be capable of treating the waste with the anticipated future residential development as well as Plasrefine. This presents an unacceptable risk to the community.

Plasrefine have indicated that they will dispose of approximately 10,000 tonnes of residue and waste filters per day. Where will the toxic waste be disposed? The transportation of this toxic waste through residential streets and not directly bypassing residential areas presents an unacceptable risk to the community.

Traffic
It has been indicated that there will be upwards of 340 truck and vehicle movements in and out of the site. This presents an unacceptable risk to the local residents, schools, businesses and traffic.

Development

Site
The site has been poorly chosen, is too small, too close to residential, rural and environmentally sensitive areas and is also in a mixed zoned area and not a specific heavy industrial zone. It is not fit for purpose. As such Plasrefine presents an unacceptable risk to the community and the environment and should not proceed in Moss Vale or anywhere else in the Southern Highlands.

The proposed development of a plastics recycling facility at Moss Vale should not be allowed to proceed due to the nature of the proposal and the site being inappropriate for such a facility. The proposed site is in close proximity to residential and light commercial areas adjacent to the town area of Moss Vale. The facility, by its own admissions in the amended proposal, will increase pollution to both the air and water by at least 10% in volume. These pollutants, including benzene, toluene and microplastics, pose an increased risk to the health of the residents of Moss Vale and surrounding areas. The proposer, Plasrefine alludes to the fact that it has not settled on the method and provider of pollution control systems and, hence, cannot provide any guarantees of the efficacy of these measures. The risk remains too large to allow the proposal to proceed. The amended proposal also will substantially increase the emission of greenhouse gases of 91,000 tonnes of CO2-e, which is above the NGERS reporting threshold and is contrary to the present government policies to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Storage of the raw and processed materials represents a fire risk to the community, with FRNSW recommending a Fire Safety Study (FSS) as a condition of consent. Plasrefine has chosen not to address this issue until later in the process, after consent. This is not acceptable, leading to the possibility of large chemical fires with adverse chemical fallout over urban areas in adjacent towns. The proponent does not presently operate any similar facilities either in Australia or internationally. It has no history of compliance and will essentially be undertaking an experiment in plastics processing at the expense of public health and amenity. The risk is not outweighed by the benefits and the project should be rejected.

The applicant has not obtained landowner’s consent for critical access roads. After trying four different routes, one by one, over a period of time, the proponent and GHD now have seem to have consent from Boral to change the rail crossing. It is unclear to me how a State Significant Development proposal could ever reach the stage it has with such little due diligence