Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility

MOSS VALE PLASTICS RECYCLING FACILITY AMENDMENT – SSD 9409987

I am writing to strongly OBJECT to the Plasrefine Plastics Recycling Facility proposed for
our community. This objection is rooted in several critical concerns that highlight the
unsuitability of this development for our shire:
● Zoning: Plasrefine's location within a General Industrial Zone contradicts local
zoning regulations, expressly prohibiting hazardous and offensive industries as per
Wingecarribee Council's Local Environmental Plan.
● Inadequate Evaluation: The proposal has not been thoroughly assessed under the
State Environment Planning Policy 33, raising questions about its compliance with
essential environmental standards.
● Microplastic Pollution Oversight: The Environmental Impact Statements provided by
GHD lack crucial information regarding microplastic pollution, a significant issue
supported by extensive scientific evidence linking microplastics to severe health
problems, including hormonal changes, infertility, heart issues, and cancer.
● Water Scarcity and Fire Risks: The facility's uncertain water supply in our already
water-scarce Southern Highlands region is deeply concerning. Coupled with
insufficient fire protection measures, the potential risks of fires in plastic processing
plants pose an imminent threat to our residential and industrial areas.
● Drinking Water Contamination: Plasrefine's location within the Sydney Drinking
Water Catchment area raises alarming concerns about the contamination of our
drinking water with toxic chemicals and microplastics, posing a direct threat to public
health.
● Adverse Impact on Local Industries: The proposal's adverse effects on local
industries, including tourism, agriculture, and hospitality, are substantial.
Furthermore, the potential traffic disruptions and chaos at crucial railway crossings
will severely impact our community.
● Economic Threat: Plasrefine not only jeopardizes public safety but also endangers
the economic livelihoods of thousands. Its operation threatens the stability of our
local economy, creating uncertainty and instability in the region which relies heavily
on tourism, wineries, farming and hospitality.
● Failure to Meet Environmental and Health Standards: The Plasrefine project fails to
meet essential environmental and health standards, making it unsuitable for our
community.

I urge the planning authority to consider these compelling reasons and reject the Plasrefine
Plastics Recycling Facility to safeguard our community's well-being and future prosperity.

I strongly object to the Plasrefine plastics recycling proposal to be developed at 74-76 Beaconsfield Road, Moss Vale. I take issue with such a toxic industry being foisted on our township and the surrounding villages. The Southern Highlands has become a tourist mecca for those wanting to escape city life for a quieter more peaceful existence in a location, free of pollutants and contaminants that this type of industry would bring. The main demographic of the Highlands are retirees and the elderly. Studies of the locations chosen for plastics recycling facilities overseas, shows them in the lower socio-economic areas of the various countries. So I am wondering whether the owners of this development proposal have viewed Moss Vale in the same way. Granted, we are located approximately half way between Sydney and Canberra with good access to the Hume Highway. The area chosen by Plasrefine previously was in south western Sydney, situated near transport and waste transfer facilities, but the application was refused. So by his own admission, Mr Lyu bought the current Moss Vale site because it was cheap and available. However, this site is completely landlocked and is without land owner's consent from the WSC for construction of the revised new access road. The reasons given in the EIS for the initial north-south access route, were that it was unsuitable because of the lack of available access and the stand of endangered Eucalyptus Macarthurii, which for some reason, no longer seem to be an issue. GHD are more than happy to eliminate endangered trees they don't own, on land they don't own and claim credits in lieu.
In the latest RTS amendment, Plasrefine is proposing to magically reduce their water requirements to between 5,500l -15,500 litres DAILY. This would only serve to concentrate the contaminants and contribute to an even more toxic environmental problem. Their 8-acre building can only effectively collect rainwater for processing if it actually rains, so when there are drier conditions, a bushfire or a drought, as we are currently to experience (El Nino), Plasrefine will depend on taking our community's potable water. They will also be exempt from water restrictions. I note that their 3 water tanks included in the architectural plans, show no cubic capacity for collecting said roof water.
I am including documention attached, detailing my concerns at the number of inexplicable, conflicting and oftentimes inaccurate or incomplete statements and diagrams, uncovered in both Appendix F - Architectural Plans and Appendix J - Air Quality and Odour, which is particular concern in relation to proximity to Garvan and sensitive receiver residents. Additionally, I have included highlighted statements and areas of considerable concern contained in GHD's amended Appendix C - Updated Mitigation
Measures in anticipation of a closer scrutiny by the Planning Dept. GHD and Plasrefine cannot be permitted to gloss over requested information in such a lacklustre fashion and expect that it will go unnoticed or unchallenged. They have produced documents for submission on this State Significant Development, with glaring errors and inaccuracies, lack of due diligence and incomplete diagrams and information, expecting the proposal to be accepted and approved unchallenged, the idea being to provide the finer details POST APPROVAL. For a development which has the ability to significantly and permanently alter the way of life, economy and environment for the entire Southern Highlands community, not just Moss Vale residents and businesses, these critical issues and potential impacts MUST be fully investigated and disputed wherever appropriate and necessary. I respectfully request that on merit and with the enormous amount of misinformation presented and scant details, this proposal should be refused.
Kind regards,
Sharan Kennedy.

I object to the Plasrefine project being sited in Moss Vale.
It is totally counter to the values of Moss vale as a small tourist and agricutlural village hub, worked by Locals over a long period to make Moss vale a beautiful gentle and sustainble Destination for tourists and inhabitants.

Objection on the grounds of
1: uncertainty of road access
2: near-certainty of impact on medical research of national importance ( Garvan Institute )
3: complete absence of application materials on the biggest - and unavoidable - pollutant from the site: micro-plastics.

detailed in attachment.

I write to voice my strong objection to the proposed Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility.

I am a resident of Moss Vale, and live here with my husband and our two young children, Oscar and Sam. There is nothing more important to me than my children's health and safety. And this proposed project puts those at risk. Our youngest, Sam attends the Southern Highlands Early Childhood Centre which is situated just several hundred metres down the road from the proposed site. To be honest, it remains astounding to me that this location continues to be considered for such industry, especially when you consider the applicant/Plasrefine has done nothing to genuinely address the concerns voiced by community and representatives of various levels of government who are also opposed.

The increase in traffic through a primarily residential area through both the construction and operation of the factory will undoubtedly increase the risk of traffic incidents in the surrounding area. Stories of young children being injured or even killed in and around daycare car parks are already too frequent - adding hundreds of vehicles to Beaconsfield Road and the surrounding small residential roads increases the risk of incident considerably - especially when you consider there are no footpaths on these roads, and the area will already have to contend with hundreds or thousands of additional cars as the population increases over the coming decade.

Perhaps even more concerning: the evidence on the toxicity and dangers of plastics - particularly as it relates to the endocrine systems of young children (especially boys) and pregnant women has been building steadily over the last decade and is well documented in peer-reviewed scientific research - how then do you justify the heating of such compounds and products within a light breeze's trajectory of a day care? Noting especially that the Southern Highlands is notoriously windy, so even the smallest amount of pollution released outside the factory walls will be carried far beyond its boundaries and have far reaching negative impacts.

I understand the need to build a strong recycling industry in Australia - however, given the great expanse of NSW, surely there are countless locations that also boast adequate proximity to major cities, but pose far less risk to communities and local economies? The Southern Highlands is renowned for its natural environment, and the potential for regenerative economic growth - focused on regenerative agriculture, eco-tourism, food and wine and community events - in the coming decades is huge. Putting a high risk, highly toxic factory within growing communities seems completely at odds with the potential and brand of the Southern Highlands.

I could go on at length at the many ways in which this proposal is problematic, and I'm sure many others will highlight the myriad concerns. But in closing I come back to my opening sentiment. Plastics are highly toxic, particularly to young children and pregnant women. The proposed site is less than a kilometre from a childcare centre with 20 staff (all young women), and 70 children, five years and under. My youngest child is among them, and this proposal terrifies me. It is simply not a safe location for such industry, and is at odds with many promises and rhetoric from the State Government's stated priorities around regional economic development, care for the natural environment and the safety of our children.

Kind regards,
Nathalie Swainston

I object to this project based on the following concerns:
Risk of pollution to current creeks and waterways that sustain local flora and fauna.
Output of hazards microplastic and their impact on health of our local community particularly given the high winds experienced in the area.
Increased heavy vehicle movement and the impact on traffic congestion, road conditions, noise pollution and currently no direct route to the highway.
The location and it's proximity to residences, medical research facility, school and early children centre.
How will this project impact on the longer term need to eliminated single use plastics.

Please see attached my objection to the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility.
Yours faithfully,
Judy Hannan, Member for Wollondilly

I am concerned about the proximity to Moss Vale town centre, schools and recreational areas. Airborne plastic particles are of concern and also noise for nights.

I Kate Ingham object to the proposed Plasrefine Plastic Recycling Facility in Moss Vale. I work in Moss Vale.
The proposed development should be refused on the following grounds:
1. The proposed recycling facility is a potentially hazardous industry and potentially offensive industry therefore it is not permissible in the General Industrial Zone under LEP of the Wingecarribbe Council. The Wingecarribbe Council does not support the proposal.
2 The development is potentially hazardous and offensive Development under SEPP33 and has not been assessed under the SEPP33.
3 The EIS and Appendices, versions 1, 2, and now version 3 are inadequate and full of inconsistencies. Many statements in the EIS’s are not incorrect, or misleading.
4 The real facts and data about the environmental, social and economic impact of the proposed development are not addressed while other facts are “watered down”.
5 The EIS prepared by the GHD does not enable the decision makers to understand the development and its environmental, social, and economic consequences.
6 The EIS and Appendices do not mention or provide any assessment of microplastic generated by the proposal and its impact on human health, air, drinking water, groundwater, soil and wildlife.
7 There is extensive scientific research available that micro plastic and toxic fumes from plastic recycling plants cause hormonal changes, infertility, heart problem and, cancer just to mention a few. The proposal is surrounded by rural, residential and general industrial areas.
8 There is no technology available to filter completely microplastic from the plastic recycling facilities.
9 The proposed facility has a very high demand for town water and rain water, which cannot be guaranteed in the Southern Highlands.
10 There is a high risk of fires in any plastic processing plants and the proposed development is surrounded by residential and general industrial of Moss Vale and Burradoo and Bowral and other town. There is unsatisfactory fire protection of the proposed facility and water storage in case of fire are insufficient.
11 The proponent has not demonstrated understanding the risks of fire hazard of such facilities or has not proposed any measures in case of such event.
12 Microplastic in wastewater will be released into our sewerage, no levels provided and Wingecarribbe Council sewerage system has no more capacity.
13 The proposed development is situated in the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment area and all toxic chemicals and micro plastic will end up in drinking water.
14 The proposal will detrimentally impact on the health and livelihood the of residents, tourism, wine and honey industry and weddings and entertainment industry.
15 The site is too small for the proposed development and does not allow for enough for parking for delivery track, waiting area for trucks, for fire brigade trucks, not enough water tank for emergency and no space for any landscaping or screening.
16 The development will jeopardise the operation of trains of the Cement factory and will adversely affects the traffic on M4 and local traffic and will cause a constant chaos at the railways crossing at the Cement factory.
17 The traffic study undertaken during school holidays ( 3 December 2020) is irrelevant and misleading
18 The emitted gases from the stack are toxic and harmful to human and mitigation measures are hypothetical only. I have experienced breast cancer and do not wish to be exposted to microplastics which in certain wind conditions from the west - will inevitably occur from this development.
19 The proposed development may generate some new jobs (some only temporary during the construction phase) but it will destroy the livelihood of thousands in tourism, agriculture, hospitality, wine and honey industry and will have a domino effect on the rest of the local economy.
20 The proposed development will increase NSW annual greenhouse gas emissions by 0.07% (if this number is accurate) which is significant.
21 I do not trust the company and their ability to comply with environmental legislative requirements. Their communications with the community have been non-transparent and this does not bode well for environmental breach notifications to authorities and the community.
Kate Ingham
Ki Media Pty Ltd
Suite 106,
302 Bong Bong St,
Bowral. NSW. 2576

I adamantly object to the Moss Vale Recycling Facility.
I have family that live in the Southern Highlands & many friends that visit the Southern Highlands.
Having this facility in this location would only do harm to the environment & the people that live & visit there.
I am astounded that such a proposition is even being considered.
People live in this area & would be at a high & guarantied risk of contamination.
Water would become toxic & the animals would also suffer the consequences. And many of these animlas are reared for human consumption.
We of course have a major soft plastic problem, however this is NOT the solution.
Yours sincerely
Kristina Bruveris

I object to this proposal on environmental, social, economic, and health grounds. Whilst I am not against plastics recycling as a process, this is not the right site for such a facility. The proximity to a residential area and sensitive industry is a major factor in the community opposition to this development. The likelihood of noise, air and water pollution becoming issues from this proposed facility is not worth the risk to nearby human and animal health. The noise from 24-hour operation and constant truck traffic will further add to the impacts of this proposal.

The use and discharge of water from this facility is problematic with regards to supply and potential contamination. The Southern Highlands is a critical area for providing water to the residents of Sydney. Any contamination of either surface water run off or ground water is therefore able to have a much wider impact than on the Southern Highlands residents alone. Supplying the facility with enough water for its needs will also compete with the demand from residents and nearby business.

The Southern Highlands is a well known and loved tourist destination. It offers many opportunities for national and international visitors to experience the Australian countryside without having to travel excessive distances from either Sydney or Canberra. Many family-owned and operated businesses in the Southern Highlands rely on tourism for their livelihoods. Many people start their exploration in the nearby town of Berrima, and travel to Moss Vale and other Highlands towns from there. The visual impact of the proposed facility will dramatically affect the aesthetic value of the region. The land values of nearby residents will also be affected by such a monstrous development. It could be argued that the economic impacts of this development on the Highlands community will far outweigh the benefits it will bring. The facility is proposed to be largely automated. How then will it provide employment to a large enough number of people to outweigh the costs of lost tourism revenue?

The environmental risks associated with this development are a major concern. The proponents were unwilling to provide indemnity to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research when the first proposal relied on purchasing Garvan land for access to the site. If the proponents were unwilling to financially compensate Garvan for any loss of income through impacts on the health and breeding of medical research mice, how can they be trusted to protect the health of the local population? As a former employee of Australian BioResources (ABR) I can confirm that workers at the site are not only outside from the carpark to the facility, but many employees also spend their break times and often have meetings outside. There are parts of the facility that are ventilated with outside air, and I can confirm that air quality was compromised inside the facility during the 2019-2020 bushfires. Any suggestion that there will not be an air quality impact from the Plasrefine facility on the employees and mice in the ABR facility is unfounded.

Plastics storage and recycling facilities have a significant track record of catching fire. Such uncontrollable blazes emit enormous amounts of toxic smoke and are difficult to extinguish. This poses a huge risk to the nearby residents and businesses. How can the Highlands community be assured that this will not happen to them? The proponents have never built nor operated a plastics recycling facility and have a questionable environmental record in their other businesses in China. It is a very large gamble to allow this proposal to move forward with an inexperienced and questionable developer.

The social impact of this proposal has already been significant. Residents have fought this proposal for three years now with many experiencing significant mental and physical health issues as a result. The overwhelming majority of residents and the Wingecarribee Shire Council are opposed to this development. I no longer live in the Wingecarribee Shire, however, I loved the 19 years I lived there and do not wish to see this beautiful area ruined by one poorly thought out and located development. It is time to tell proponents that this is not the right site for their project.

Yours Sincerely
Joanne Dodd
M. Sustainable Agriculture
Grad. Dip. Ecology & Management
Grad. Dip. Ed.
B. Ag. Sci.

The impact this proposal has had on community members over the past three years is immeasurable, all because the proponent has selected a poorly chosen site for this hazardous and offensive industry which threatens to destroy the Health, Safety and Environment of the pristine, tranquil Southern Highlands.

This facility should not be built in a residential area due to the risk of toxins and air pollution

I am a resident of Moss Vale and reside within a 1km radius of the proposed facility. In light of the recent fire at a waste facility in Picton, myself and a number of locals are extremely concerned of the impact on our hometown if this were to occur with the proposed development. If Plasrefine wants to continue this development, they need to provide the people who call Moss Vale home satisfactory evidence that they have completely investigated the fire risks involved with a facility like the one they are proposing. A promise to endeavour to obtain one once development is approved is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

I am extremely concerned regarding the toxic waste the proposed development will produce in our small town. I am concerned for my young family living so close to it, and breathing in the fumes and toxicity and how that will impact on my young children’s health as they get older. Where is evidence to suggest children breathing in the waste product this proposed facility will produce is safe? I am concerned the increase in trucks to the proposed development site will further destroy our roads which are already in an appalling state. I am concerned for the people who live in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development site and those who live on the thoroughfares on which the trucks will travel. I am concerned for the delicate riparian zones around the site. I am concerned for the medical research centre which is located close to the proposed site. Not only is the proposed development site itself located in beautiful farm land, surrounded by homes of local families, it has been proposed in the stunning Southern Highlands which is a major tourist hub all throughout the year.

The small town of Moss Vale does NOT want or need this facility in our home. I wholeheartedly and passionately object to this project and every aspect of its proposed development.

I am making a submission on the basis I strongly object to the proposed Plasrefine Plastic Recycling Facility, Beaconsfield Rd. Moss Vale NSW 2577.
Despite the community and the Council opposing this development - Plasrefine continue to make renewed submissions. In addition, and despite clear deadlines associated with due process, Plasrefine and it's agents are repeatedly granted extensions. The community has suffered unduly as a result as; this plastic recycling facility holds significant risk and disruption for the environment, the community and Council services. There are clearly no benefits to the community, the environment nor the wildlife in the pristine The Southern Highlands - a highly regarded tourist destination.
As a Bowral resident and involved community member, my objections include the following issues:
Ecologically sensitive land with located close to nearby farm dams and within the Sydney drinking water catchment. The risk associated with microplastic contamination is real and obvious. No attention has been paid to how air, water and land-based contamination in this regard will be mitigated. The close proximity of Schools, communities and wildlife will all be exposed to contamination form the site.
An ongoing concern is the considerable increase in traffic to the area. Congestion as a result of general road traffic and rail crossing/s will simply result in alternative routes being used which will inevitably result in increased suburban residential roads being utilised, and nearby school being passed.
Volume/s, size of vehicles and frequency/operating hours remains unclear with related figures under scrutiny just not being believable for a facility of this size. In addition, irrespective of assurances by Plasrefine to the contrary, policing of routes, volumes and frequency would simply be impractical and costly - an observation not lost on Plasrefine.
Increasingly, internationally plastic recycling facilities are igniting as a result of the chemicals used in the recycling process and indeed the plastic itself.
These fires are intense, long burning and result in considerable toxic environmental contamination.
Nearby schools, residents and livestock would need to be relocated - does Plasrefine provide for compensation to health and safety in this regard - as well as loss of income and ongoing medical costs?
This facility is far too large for local fire services to contain the blaze - and would occupy firefighting resources from far afield.
Council has already flagged issues associated with insufficient water supply to service the facility - which surely translates to totally insufficient water supply in the event of a blaze at the facility!
The intended use of the location is for light industry, yet the size (footprint, height, logistical requirements) is certainly not typical of 'light industry'. Facility lighting, noise, logistical traffic requirements, toxic emissions, fire hazard and size of the facility cannot be regarded as 'light industry'!
The concept of plastic recycling is not an objection. However, the location, size and operational impact on the community, wildlife, farming and water resources so close to residentials areas and schools is the issue.
The Southern Highlands is known and valued (for generations) for it's pristine beauty - increasingly becoming a valued tourist destination. Equally, local businesses are becoming reliant on this fact.
Without local community support, nor council support, and given the complete lack of any benefit to the area or the community, where local ratepayers and council will be expected to partly fund the maintenance of related infrastructure, what possible reason would this location be chosen for the largest plastic recycling facility in Australia?
Surely this is just simply the wrong site!
Regards
Rory Matthews

Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility Amended Application (SSD-9409987)

I am making a submission in opposition to the above-mentioned State Significant Development by Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd.
I live in Moss Vale, New South Wales in a three generation household including my two children, my husband, my mother and myself. I am deeply concerned at the proposed placement of this development in our town at 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd, Moss Vale.

My objections to this development are many. I wonder why, at a time when this small town is under huge strain of development, with many young families moving in, our town has been earmarked as an ideal location for heavy industry.

The project bears all the hallmarks of a major polluter using double speak to obfuscate details of a high impact development. Details need to be provided on the impact of dust, noise, vibration, traffic impact, smell, residential areas, light pollution, impacts to wildlife, road safety, 24hr year-round operation, land values, toxic residues in agricultural land and toxic wastewater via Moss Vale sewage treatment plant which will impact the local river system and catchment area and is currently at full capacity.

The possible long term health impacts include cancer clusters, respiratory, reproductive, eye and skin problems to name a few potential outcomes to the health of local people, particularly the young. Moss Vale has several large schools, a large homeschooling community and many young families moving in as previously stated.

Traffic impacts on our already strained infrastructure will be severe and Plasrefine continues to obfuscate their plans in this area along with all the others.

This landscape is part of the Sydney Water Catchment, meaning that the outcomes residents fear here will potentially reach Australia's most populous city as well.

Finally, local council does not support this proposal, it is not the right site for heavy industry. Local residents do not support this proposal. If local wildlife, land, water and air had a voice they would not support this proposal. They do not have a voice so we must speak for them and ask you to consider this and other submissions with the same sincerity and good faith in which they have been written.
I have not made a political donation and I do not give permission for my private details to be published.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I have been a resident of the Southern Highlands for nearly 30 years. I have seen many changes during this time, most recently being the influx of people moving to the area including young families. Childcare is at its peak and the infrastructure of the Highlands is groaning. The community is growing and the area will change again over time, hopefully the area will benefit and grow in the right direction.
I live just outside Moss Vale, in Sutton Forest. I have rented at this address for over 16 yrs. I am highly allergic to chemical perfumes and deodorisers and fear that if this industry goes ahead I will not be able to live here anymore. We live here for clean air, clear skies and hold fast to farming and food industries. I rent on a cattle property, I am surrounded by animals (yes, that’s food people eat) that are at risk from being contaminated, as are all residents and visitors.
Our waterways are at risk, the food we grow, Sydney water, air quality, our health and the health of our children- how can this be allowed? This is a residential regional area and growth should be in community ventures. Tourism is a huge industry here. People come not only for the wineries, eateries etc but for the air, nature and beautiful surrounds. Who will want to stay and experience farms, local produce and fresh environment when it’s laden with toxic chemicals and pollution?
Our way of life, our right to live without this type of toxic chemical load should be cemented. There are so many valued residents living close to this proposed facility, how is it acceptable that it is a possibility so close to families and schools? This would not only impact residents living close but the whole region. We have made a life here.
Our natural environment should be celebrated, not destroyed. 

Emma Barnet
Industry Assessments
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
RE: Proposed Plasrefine Plastics Recycling Facility 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd Moss Vale NSW 2577  SSD Application No – 9409987

Please find below my submission in opposition to the aforementioned State Significant Development by Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd.


I'm a permanent resident of Moss Vale and I'm horrendously concerned about the proposed extremely toxic Plastic Waste Facility (dump) at 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd Moss Vale.

My concerns relating to the application (SSD Application No – 9409987) include:

●Credentials: The would be owner operators of this proposed abomination have admitted to having no experience at all in the plastics recycling industry and that they are wanting to build the largest plastics recycling centre in Australia. That would be a mammoth undertaking for any business operators with years of extensive working experience in plastics recycling so how could it ever be entertained by any sane individuals that Plasrefine could have a shot at it and run a smooth operation that hasn't got the potential to have mishap after mishap. This last point is also extremely relevant to the fact that
the Principal Technical Director of Plasrefine Pty Ltd Mr Lyu has a history of environmental sanctions in China (SMH article https://amp.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/a-big-blue-in-a-small-southern-highlands-town-over-a-giant-plastics-plant-20220111-p59nhp.html).

Following on from the above thread, I have major doubts that Nanxi Zheng could possibly be an appropriate person to hold an Environmental Protection Licence to operate due to her family ties to Mr Lyu (a known environmental vandal through his polluting practices in China) along with their shared director-ship of a company that holds the patent for the Plasrefine logo, and the deodoriser proposed to wash the plastic in.

●Location: The lot at 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd, Moss Vale, is an entirely unsatisfactory location to be building the proposed monstrosity for a multitude of reasons.

Not only would the buildings take up the vast majority of the land space they will be a complete visual blight on the skyline due to building heights (further explanations follow in the next point relational to buildings). The even appears to be no space for a turning circle for the trucks entering and leaving the site!

The Plasrefine site is next door to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research mouse breeding facility Australian BioResources (ABR), 9-11 Lackey Road,  Moss Vale.

ABR is a world‑class, "state of the art rodent‑breeding facility that supplies mice to many of vital medical research facilities in Australia.

"THE ABR FACILITY IN MOSS VALE HAS BEEN BUILT TO ACHIEVE A HIGH QUALITY, SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE ANIMALS WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND LOW FACILITY OPERATING COSTS" (https://abr.org.au/)

Exposure to any of the factors (noise, vibrations, odours, and chemical laden air entering ABR) that the plastic recycling facility produces could have long‑lasting impacts on the vital research ABR carries out. "The facility provides the capacity to house the numerous genetically modified mice that underpin progress in modern medical research. These mouse colonies are critical for progress in research across all health priority areas such as the following:

• Cancer
• Mental illness
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity" (https://abr.org.au/)

Such an important medical research facility as ABR is needs continuing support of an appropriate surrounding environment free from constant noise, light, and air pollution that Plasrefine would emit. Plasrefine's chosen site is not the right site to be able to coexist next-door to ABR without the major potential of causing harm to ABR's highly sensitive and ultra important research work.

The sensitive riparian zone and creek within the boundaries of 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd, Moss Vale, is at high risk of becoming polluted from toxic substances used within the operation of Plasrefine's toxic tip/plastic recycling facility if it's allowed to proceed. There is total potential of exposure to plastic dust, microplastics and plastic pallets in the riparian zone/creek (which is ultimately part of Sydney's drinking water) that have  escaped from Plasrefine's buildings as there is minimal evidence that the plant will run using the highest quality methods to halt, or even slow down these biproducts from entering into the riparian zone and creek. There is evidence after evidence in the scientific world that highlights the risks associated with plastic dust, microplastics and plastics pellets to the environment, humans and animals. No such industry as a plastics recycling one should be built on such environmentally sensitive and important land, particularly such a mammoth monstrosity as is proposed by Plasrefine.

Further on to this thread in relation to plastic dust, microplastics, and plastic pellets the Plasrefine land sits within an area that in prevailing winds will blow these debris towards a number of schools, along with the toxic chemicals that will be emitted into the air via the chimney stack. It is still questionable where the chimney stack would be placed on the building as it is currently not shown in any diagrams of it's preferred location on a rooftop. Nevertheless regardless of wherever it is placed on the roof it will undoubtedly be a complete visual blight and a toxic air polluter casting remnants of chemicals throughout the what is now, clean Southern Highlands air.

The Plasrefine site at 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd, Moss Vale, is in town limits. Moss Vale a small town and we don't have the fire fighting facilities to deal with a fire that has the real potential to eventuate within the horrendously inappropriate proposed toxic tip of Plasrefine. The nearest appropriate firefighting services are almost an hour away via road so the chances of a fire taking hold of the proposed monstrosity and quickly spreading to other industries and homes before the specialist firefighting services can arrive is real. We can't just shut our windows and doors and pray to be safe from the gaseous poisonous fumes from a fire that could burn for hours upon hours upon hours. When Remondis' plastic recycling facility at Picton recently set on fire it took a good four hours for it to be extinguished and that facility is much closer to the specialist firefighting services than Moss Vale is plus Remondis' plastics recycling centre is vastly smaller than the proposed Plasrefine compound they want to build in Beaconsfield Rd.

Furthermore, being a landlocked parcel of land means that large firefighting trucks will need to not just negate driving through narrow town back streets to get to the site they won't have any road frontage to also fight any fire from, instead they will need to hopefully find enough room on the land at 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd Moss Vale to fight any fire or be able to access neighbouring properties that border it.

●Structures:  Light spillage - there are numerous internal and external lights being proposed on the Plasrefine site that will be functioning throughout the night. It's fairly unclear how much light spillage is going to be affecting surrounding properties such as ABR's and nearby homes but with all the exterior lighting planned for Plasrefine I'd say that ABR in particular are going to be subjected to high levels of bright light spillage if Plasrefine are allowed to proceed with the plastics recycling facility/dump.

The sheer all round size and height of the proposed Plasrefine buildings and the type of business they want to conduct isn't within keeping with the rest of the industrial estate! The Plasrefine proposal belongs elsewhere, somewhere more appropriate on a larger parcel of land closer to a highway and/or specialist emergency services in the advent of fires, chemical leaks or spillages, etc.

Thank you for your time and reading my submission opposing the Proposed Plasrefine Plastics Recycling Facility 74-76 Beaconsfield Rd Moss Vale NSW 2577  SSD Application No – 9409987

Dear Ms Emma Barnet,
I am EXTREMELY concerned about the proposal to implement a Plastics Recycling Facility at 74-76 Beaconsfield Road, Moss Vale for numerous reasons including the following:
It is completely irresponsible and inappropriate to implement such a large, toxic factory so close to Moss Vale Town Centre, homes and schools.
The excess trucks and vehicles used during construction and operation of this site would make an already congested Moss Vale unmanageable.

A most significant concern is that the proponent has no experience in plastics recycling?

Please consider any objections from the residents of the Southern Highlands as we live here and are VERY concerned about the devastating effect it will have on our heath, safety and the environment.