Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility

I object to this project based on its proximity to local population and an area of conservation

I wish to formally express my objections to the proposal by Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd for the construction and operation of a Plastics Recycling and Reprocessing facility at 74-76 Beaconsfield Road, Moss Vale, identified as SSD-9409987
please find my attached letter outlining the details of my objection dated 30.10.2023

Please find attached my letter of objection for the above SSD

This does not benefit the community at all. Air, noise and traffic pollution are major concerns and will negatively impact the health of locals and students at the nearby daycares and schools. Impacts on conservation land right next door will be detrimental to the environment.

We don’t need this in our shire, we don’t need it in our Country

This project is the biggest environmental hazard, with an expressed inexperienced operator in a high risk facility. The future environment is at risk from this proposal and must not go ahead so close to homes, food & water sources. Nor should it even be a possibility to interfered with current dna testing nearby. The future is bleak if this facility is allowed to go ahead.
Sincerely a concerned resident.

We are residents (in a family household) living within walking distance (1.2km from the proposed site) who remain deeply alarmed, concerned and stunned by the inappropriate nature of this proposed development.

As mentioned previously we choose to live in Moss Vale for its quiet, semi-rural existence and surrounds, away from a visually and audibly noisy environment, with minimal physical and light pollution (for health reasons). Since moving here our quality of life, physical and mental health has improved significantly. We understand and accept the light industrial pockets in our surrounds but still are unable to understand how such a large scale, heavy industrial, toxin producing development can be considered so close to residential land let alone regional and urban drinking water catchments.

The proposed development amendments following multiple rounds of objections have done nothing to ease our concerns. If anything, the “in-the-bag” lack lustre response to genuine local concerns only further increases our alarm surrounding this proposal and the “company” arrogantly seeking to push it through without care for the community on their doorstep. We see no serious attempt to intelligently address the real-life issues which will impact the health & wellbeing not only of our local community, but our wider region and beyond.

Please see below for reasons we fervently reject this proposal:
AMATEUR OPERATOR WITHOUT DETAIL OR UNDERSTANDING
The operator has admitted they have no plastics recycling experience! An operation of this scale, location and proximity to regional and Sydney drinking water catchments is way too high risk for experimental learning curves. Equally Plasrefine P/L principal management and ownership have a track record of Environmental Sanctions in China! Seriously how can this operator even be considered to hold an Environment Protection License?

The applicants inexperience and disregard for sensitive operational flaws in this proposal (which have very real implications for the health and safety of local residents and beyond) is only further highlighted by the lack of detail surrounding;
• General pollution, microplastics, dust particle, chemical & toxic residue leaching and waste management.
• Chemical fumes and particle spread, particularly during high wind conditions (a highly regular occurrence at this exposed location).
• Emissions and environmental bioaccumulation management, 22M! exhaust stack details vague.
• Human error, emergency and accidental spills, fire, hazmad management… surely we’re not seeking to rely on our very small and limited resources?
• Appropriate water usage and wastewater treatment solutions for high volumes toxic wastewater… that doesn’t rely on insufficient local residential supply and treatment plant.
• Preservation of local riparian waterways (located very in close proximity to this development) which feed Southern Highlands and Sydney’s drinking water catchments. This issue is potentially life changing for millions (not just locals), this application shows no regard for duty of care.
• Light, noise and vibration impacts on neighbouring residents (only 200m away), livestock, wildlife and ecology.
• Insufficient landscaping screens for buildings and 22M! exhaust stack… light industrial?
• Traffic impacts (COVID / X’Mas holiday era survey out of date), road infrastructure management (road degradation to be managed by council ie. rate payers apparently, no thanks!), road safety and appropriate access for around-the-clock heavy vehicle transportation (third attempt and they still haven’t a viable access route!).
• How a heavy industry proposal such as this fits with local DCP light industrial “buffer” zoning requirements. Complete disregard for local rule.

SCALE OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT EXCESSIVE & INAPPROPRIATE FOR SITE
In addition to the seeming incompetence and lack of regard surrounding these genuinely alarming issues, the scale of the built environment in this location remains excessive, highly inappropriate and offensive. Its close proximity to neighbouring residents remains inconceivable and proposed visual “screening” solution completely inadequate.

We know of a number of short-term accommodation businesses in direct line of site to this proposal, sadly their visual, and economic, disruption will likely fall behind the detrimental impacts on the health, safety and general wellbeing of these households (numbers of which far exceed the number of jobs this operator suggests will bring to the region by the way). Will this operator provide for loss of business, property value, health or quality of life for residents spanning neighbouring ridgelines? We highly doubt it.

LONG TERM HEALTH RISKS DUE TO CLOSE PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTS, SCHOOLS AND TOWNS
With all that is becoming known, and clinically validated, about the long-term health implications of exposure to chemicals in plastics such as increased risk of cancer, skin disorders, reproductive and respiratory issues, we must refuse to accept this proposed operation so close to residents, towns and schools in our small region.

As mentioned previously we chose to live here away from city and heavy industry pollution, due to a highly compromised lung function in our household. We simply cannot afford to live so close to this development, both from a health perspective and an economic one (proximity of this development will undoubtedly negatively impact our property value).

Sadly, our list of objections have only increased on viewing the amendments proposed for this development. As such we continue to wholeheartedly object to the Moss Vale Plastic Refinery proposal development on the 74-76 Beaconsfield Road site.

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. The proposal for the Plasrefine facility, which will be built close to my grandmother’s house on Beaconsfield road has left me concerned for how it will impact her quality of life. The promise of greater detail after approval is simply not good enough. The residents of Mossvale, deserve to have comprehensive information and plans in hand now, before any decisions are made. The following points outline some of my concerns, and I hope you will consider them.
1. Increased dust traffic and noise caused by the fact the facility will be operating 24/7 and will have trucks coming and going. Does the infrastructure exist to handle this increased traffic. Will anything be done to mitigate the effects of this.
2. The prospect of Odors coming from the facility is unsettling and may greatly impact my grandmother’s way of life. Will there be anything to be done to combat this.
3. This facility will be built only 200 metres from homes. This will cause a disruption to the natural beauty of Mossvale, due to the ugly design of the facility, such as its 22m tall smokestacks. I would also question whether the health of those living near the proposed facility will be compromised, especially when it is likely micro plastics will be polluted from the facility. Will the increased water outputs https://www.xvideos.com/affect the sewage system of Mossvale.
4. This facility could cause excess light pollution, impact the natural wildlife, and impact and alter the natural eco-system. How will toxic residues and wastewater be disposed of. What proposed plans have been put into place to mitigate these potential problems.
5. Will this processing plant impact the residence safety on the road, especially since there will likely be more trucks driving on the road. If current road infrastructure is not suitable, what will be done about it and will any potential changes to roads affect the residents who live in Mossvale.

My grandmother’s community, environment, and future are at stake. I am emotionally invested in preserving the essence of Mossvale. I implore you to take these concerns to heart and provide the comprehensive information we need to make informed decisions.

Sincerely,

Max McKern

Firstly the area has important historic links to early settlement in Australia. Berrima is a prized conservation area that attracts tourism for its beautiful local environment, historic properties and regional rural activity, which includes award winning food and wine. So too does Moss Vale, Bowral, Burradoo and the rest of the Southern Highlands. Property values are high, as is the residential quality of life. Huge numbers of new homes are being built or proposed. During 2022 20,000 people moved to the Southern Highlands, and this appears to be continuing.

To allow this development into a pristine rural and residential community will disaffect all residents and existing business operators. When times are already challenging for many, to add frustration and anger with large numbers of extra trucks, toxic fumes, dust, vibration and noise will inflame great resentment and outrage. I do not want to have this imposed upon me, my family or the local community.

The Highlands already has industry, which is disagreeable for local residents. Huge numbers of really heavy trucks drive rapidly through New Berrima and Berrima, sometimes making it feel as though you risk your life walking your dog by the road. This has happened to me a number of times. Complaining to Council or NSW Traffic is useless. They (so far) have been derelict in their responsibility to manage even this. Let alone make it worse with the Plasrefine proposal!! Additionally, the roads are not designed for more heavy trucks and barely cope with the existing traffic.
There are significant health risks for the local community from toxins. Look at the backflip from the State government about synthetic stone – now we understand how deadly this microfine dust is, but it’s taken decades and many lost lives to know the health impact, and many more at risk over the long term. Yet still the state government has not protected works with legislation. Lets draw a parallel here - Don’t put a toxic chemical health risk into this area among a number of schools and young people. Toxic chemicals would also impact on existing food and wine production, and affect birds and wildlife – all special features of the area.
Furthermore, the Wingecarribee River is very close to this site. This river directly feeds the catchment for Sydney’s drinking water. That’s almost 5 million people that drink the water. Toxic drift is a risk for Sydney’s drinking water which could pose catastrophic health and environment risks over the long term. The Wingecarribeee River has one of the few remaining Platypus populations in NSW. They need a pristine environment in order to survive, and this proposal threatens their survival. Its recklessly irresponsible to allow this proposal, for so many reasons.

I am also concerned by the ugly bulk and scale of the proposal. This is a huge facility with a 22 metre high exhaust stack. How extraordinarily awful! What an eyesore to wreck the landscape. I am also worried about the impact of this development on the Garvan Institute’s Australian Biological Resources – apparently mice (which they use for their research) are extremely sensitive to vibration, and this facility will certainly have lots of that, trucks alone, not to mention tons and tons of plastic waste. And further to that, what of the waste that is residual to their “recycling”. I’m told that only 9% of plastic is recyclable, and the rest goes to landfill. In Moss Vale? To further destroy our lovely local environment? No way is this idea reasonable.

The operator of this facility does not have a trusted background, is not local, nor understand the integrity of our local area. The Principal Technical Director of Plasrefine Pty Ltd, Mr Lyu was cited by The Sydney Morning Herald as having a long history of environmental sanctions in China – a country with one of the world’s worst environmental standards. How can they be serious that they are capable of operating such a factory within a particularly delicate and important environment that impacts locally as well as affects the greater Sydney area.

Finally, there is a fire risk with this proposal. Even the township of Berrima is categorised by the GIO as being in a bushfire zone. We know that fire hazards must be contained with an approaching El Nino season. The area must not be put at further risk with a highly toxic flammable ignition site. It could be catastrophic as there are never enough resources to contain wild fires once they get out of control. Such a site has the potential to destroy the environment forever. It must be disallowed.

I am appalled by this proposal and completely opposed to it in every way. Please reject it. It does not contribute anything positive to the local area or greater Sydney, but rather threatens us all in numerous dangerous ways.

I realise there will be a lot of people who don't want this near their homes and I understand that. However plastic recycling is one of the biggest needs of the Australian community. I'm pleased that recycling facilities are being proposed - about time. However there are dangers and discomforts for local residents. This projects needs strict safeguards on air quality and disposing of waste. We don't want to create long-term health problems or toxic waste from a good project. Also there will necessarily be trucks and noise and other disruption while the facility is being built, then operating. Please safeguard local residents as much as possible from this disruption. It's the least that we owe them.

The project must not go ahead as I strongly believe it is the wrong area! I don’t want the toxic nature and strongly object to the increased truck movements that will clog our roads that are already strained with new developments and lack of infrastructure. The plaserfine project will negatively impact the beautiful southern highlands which has long been an area of outstanding beauty for residents and holiday makers for many years. So many reasons to do No!

RESPONSE TO SUBMISSIONS REPORT

This is not the right site for a plastics recycling, processing and sorting facility. There has been no appropriate land use planning for a development of this particular type of industry, particularly as the proposal is for it to operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

I note the basis of the approval of a NEXUS plastics recycling facility less than half the size of the proposed Plasrefine development at Albury on 18 December 2020: matter PPSSTH-70 - Albury City _ 10.2020.37909.1 at 171 Gerogery Road Ettamogah 2640. On the first page ‘Reasons for the Decision’ was that “the proposed development will be located in an industrial area with significant separation from residential receivers or sensitive land uses”. The Albury site had a buffer zone of 1.7-1.9 kilometres between the factory and the residential area, and the determination notes that it is located in “a natural amphitheatre, providing both visual cover and a natural amphitheatre from residential areas.” It was also noted that the site was not located within a site of natural resources sensitivity: flood prone land or in a riparian zone.

The proposed Plasrefine site at Moss Vale has NO buffer zone from a residential area or sensitive land uses: being only 150 metres from a residential area, and 30 metres from the Garvin Institute. It also sits within a flood-prone, riparian zone in Sydney’s drinking water catchment.

Further, in the response to submissions the following areas have not met the required limitations for impact on the surrounding area, or been inadequately addressed:

Fire. On page 3 of the report it acknowledges the increased risk of fire in such a factory, however they have neglected to respond to requests from NSW Fire and Rescue that they complete a fire safety study as a condition of approval to demonstrate how such issues will be addressed. The proponent has not complied with this request and instead stated that they would undertake this only if they get approval. This is a particularly serious omission as NSW Fire and Rescue have advised they would need to be self-sufficient in the control of any fires due to access issues. When the Ramondas Waste facility at Picton had a blaze in October 2023, it required 15 trucks and 60 firefighters to extinguish a blaze 40m x 70m, and this factory size is 8 acres in size. In Australia, there has been a fire in a plastics recycling facility each year since 2019, and there have been 70 world-wide. That does not include the number of fires in plastics sorting and re-processing facilities, of which there have been numerous.

Noise. On p. (v) the report admits “exceedances of the Road Noise Policy criteria are predicted based on the facility operating at full capacity and maximum truck movements, monitoring and management options have been recommended to manage the potential increase in road traffic noise level for adjacent residential receivers”. This is a nonsense statement. If the expected levels exceed the road noise policy, then the development is not in the right site.

Light spills. The study was completed at 10am in the morning, obviously a time when it is not possible to accurately assess the impact of light spills on the surrounding residential area.

Uncontrollable leaching from the micro plastics and nano plastics released into air and water sources. The following information on leaching: Plastic fragmentation into microplastics and nanoplastics facilitates chemical additives to freely move in the environment once released, and this can have adverse effects on human health and biota. A recent review by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) revealed that out of 3,377 chemicals potentially associated with plastic packaging and 906 likely associated with it, 68 were ranked by ECHA as "highest for human health hazards" and 68 as "highest for environmental hazards”. Plasrefine admits that it will be releasing micro plastics into the air and water. Unscientifically and incorrectly, it states that the local sewerage system will be able to contain and collect any of the micro plastics it releases into the sewerage system.

This is an ill-conceived and disrespectfully prepared proposal that demonstrates contempt for the residents of the Southern Highlands, and the residents of Sydney as it is their drinking water catchment. If and when a fire does occur, it will need quantities of fire-retardant foam used without consideration of where that will run-off to. Inevitably that foam will end up in the Wingecarribee River system and starve the local ecosystem of oxygen, and spread with the run off the hazardous chemicals involved in the plastics recycling process, not to mention the micro plastics.

The only sensible conclusion is to say No to the Plasrefine development.

We are visiting family in this beautiful pristine area of Australia for the first time. We are so impressed with the entire region, its beyond belief that this project would even be considered for such an around beautiful area enjoyed by locals & travellers alike. The threat to the environment, the people, & the animals simply must be stopped. Surely this is the wrong site for such a facility.

As a resident of the southern highlands for over 7years and now a home - owner within 200m of the proposed I am beyond TERRIFIED about the potential Plasrefine Plastic Recycling Facility!
Water usage in the latest submission from Plasrefine state they will be requiring 5000 – 15,000 litres of water per day. With the average household consumption of 97 litres my calculations say that they will need between 57-160 households worth of water PER DAY.
As we head into yet another drought this 2023 summer in NSW it begs belief that a processing plant requiring such water usage is being considered at all!
With residential estates such as Ashbourne being established in Moss Vale with 1,500 homes – where on earth is this water expected to come from? I am also aware that during times of drought Moss Vale with it’s higher than average rainfall supplements the region of Goulburn.

Then the expelling of around 2500 litres of sewage and 1000 litres of waste water PER DAY! How will the infrastructure of the Southern Highlands manage this along with increased residential growth and other industry?

I am also TERRIFIED about the Forever Chemicals that this Plasrefine Facility will create and therefore poison our environment, impact human and animal life and our treasured Agriculture industry especially viticulture.

Traffic within Moss Vale is already beyond belief with the current population. Add Ashbourne and then trucks for this 24/7 operation that Plasrefine is.
Our roads are not good enough for locals cars TODAY then add 50 trucks daily with two way travel so 100 truck movements PER DAY! Then add the Plasrefine workers cars about 200 per day. Madness!

Fire risk extremely HIGH. On 23rd October there was a fire at a recycling waste plant in Picton that took 60 fire fighters 4hrs to control and it was a 40 x 70m area wow what if a fire in an 8acre facility happened. Catastrophic for the whole Southern Highlands!

The proposed operator has admitted that they have NO EXPERIENCE IN PLASTIC RECYCLING. Further more on a Beijing Environmental & Ecological Bureau’s website – shows FOUR Regulatory Infractions from 2011. NSW State Government please open your eyes to the history of the Plasrefine owner/operator.

Smell and Odour as stated by Plasrefine – telling Garven Institute to keep their windows closed during operating hours OH So that will be 24/7 – It’s a human right to be able to breath fresh clean air. As I live in Lytton Rd a 10 minute walk to the site I have no doubt that this odour will impact MY LIFE, my family and my pets. Oh I suppose my air - dried washing days would be over too.

What smoke did to us in smoking venues (which is no more) Plasrefrine WILL IMPACT the Southern Highlands – people sitting outside at the Briars and other outdoors venues will wonder what’s that SMELL!!!

NSW State Government do you need a brain jog that the Southern Highlands is a popular Tourist destination and yet you are threatening that for the FUTURE!

I attached a Letter from Centennial Vineyards Bowral.

Lastly but by no means least I am angry that my home’s real estate value will most definitely be impacted in the future as it is NOW! No one wants to think about buying property that is within 3km of a 24/7 Plastic Recycling Facility.

As a resident of the southern highlands for over 7years and now a home - owner within 200m of the proposed I am terrified about the potential Plasrefine Plastic Recycling Facility.

Water usage in the latest submission from Plasrefine state they will be requiring 5000 – 15,000 litres of water per day. With the average household consumption of 97 litres my calculations say that they will need between 57-160 households worth of water PER DAY.
As we head into yet another drought this 2023 summer in NSW it begs belief that a processing plant requiring such water usage is being considered at all!
With residential estates such as Ashbourne being established in Moss Vale with 1,500 homes – where on earth is this water expected to come from? I am also aware that during times of drought Moss Vale with it’s higher than average rainfall supplements the region of Goulburn.

Then the expelling of around 2500 litres of sewage and 1000 litres of waste water PER DAY! How will the infrastructure of the Southern Highlands manage this along with increased residential growth and other industry?

I am also terrified about the Forever Chemicals that this Plasrefine Facility will create and therefore poison our environment, impact human and animal life and our treasured Agriculture industry especially viticulture.

Traffic within Moss Vale is already beyond belief with the current population. Add Ashbourne and then trucks for this 24/7 operation that Plasrefine is.
Our roads are not good enough for locals cars TODAY then add 50 trucks daily with two way travel so 100 truck movements PER DAY! Then add the Plasrefine workers cars about 200 per day. Madness!

Fire risk extremely HIGH. On 23rd October there was a fire at a recycling waste plant in Picton that took 60 fire fighters 4hrs to control and it was a 40 x 70m area wow what if a fire in an 8acre facility happened. Catastrophic for the whole Southern Highlands!

The proposed operator has admitted that they have NO EXPERIENCE IN PLASTIC RECYCLING. Further more on a Beijing Environmental & Ecological Bureau’s website – shows FOUR Regulatory Infractions from 2011. NSW State Government please open your eyes to the history of the Plasrefine owner/operator.


Smell and Odor as stated by Plasrefine – telling Garven Institute to keep their windows closed during operating hours OH So that will be 24/7 – It’s a human right to be able to breath fresh clean air. As I live in Lytton Rd a 10 minute walk to the site I have no doubt that this odor will impact MY LIFE, my family and my pets. Oh I suppose my air - dried washing days would be over too.

What smokes did to us in smoking venues (which is no more) Plasrefrine WILL IMPACT the Southern Highlands – people sitting outside at the Briars will wonder who what’s that SMELL!!!

NSW State Government do you need a brain jog that the Southern Highlands is a popular Tourist destination and yet you are threatening that for the FUTURE!

I attached a Letter from Centennial Vineyards Bowral.


Lastly but by no means least I am angry that my home’s real estate value will most definitely be impacted in the future as it is NOW! No one wants to think about buying property that is within 3km of a 24/7 Plastic Recycling Facility.

As a resident of the southern highlands for over 7years and now a home - owner within 200m of the proposed I am terrified about the potential Plasrefine Plastic Recycling Facility.

Water usage in the latest submission from Plasrefine state they will be requiring 5000 – 15,000 litres of water per day. With the average household consumption of 97 litres my calculations say that they will need between 57-160 households worth of water PER DAY.
As we head into yet another drought this 2023 summer in NSW it begs belief that a processing plant requiring such water usage is being considered at all!
With residential estates such as Ashbourne being established in Moss Vale with 1,500 homes – where on earth is this water expected to come from? I am also aware that during times of drought Moss Vale with it’s higher than average rainfall supplements the region of Goulburn.

Then the expelling of around 2500 litres of sewage and 1000 litres of waste water PER DAY! How will the infrastructure of the Southern Highlands manage this along with increased residential growth and other industry?

I am also terrified about the Forever Chemicals that this Plasrefine Facility will create and therefore poison our environment, impact human and animal life and our treasured Agriculture industry especially viticulture.

Traffic within Moss Vale is already beyond belief with the current population. Add Ashbourne and then trucks for this 24/7 operation that Plasrefine is.
Our roads are not good enough for locals cars TODAY then add 50 trucks daily with two way travel so 100 truck movements PER DAY! Then add the Plasrefine workers cars about 200 per day. Madness!

Fire risk extremely HIGH. On 23rd October there was a fire at a recycling waste plant in Picton that took 60 fire fighters 4hrs to control and it was a 40 x 70m area wow what if a fire in an 8acre facility happened. Catastrophic for the whole Southern Highlands!

The proposed operator has admitted that they have NO EXPERIENCE IN PLASTIC RECYCLING. Further more on a Beijing Environmental & Ecological Bureau’s website – shows FOUR Regulatory Infractions from 2011. NSW State Government please open your eyes to the history of the Plasrefine owner/operator.


Smell and Odor as stated by Plasrefine – telling Garven Institute to keep their windows closed during operating hours OH So that will be 24/7 – It’s a human right to be able to breath fresh clean air. As I live in Lytton Rd a 10 minute walk to the site I have no doubt that this odor will impact MY LIFE, my family and my pets. Oh I suppose my air - dried washing days would be over too.

What smokes did to us in smoking venues (which is no more) Plasrefrine WILL IMPACT the Southern Highlands – people sitting outside at the Briars will wonder who what’s that SMELL!!!

NSW State Government do you need a brain jog that the Southern Highlands is a popular Tourist destination and yet you are threatening that for the FUTURE!

I attached a Letter from Centennial Vineyards Bowral.

Lastly but by no means least I am angry that my home’s real estate value will most definitely be impacted in the future as it is NOW! No one wants to think about buying property that is within 3km of a 24/7 Plastic Recycling Facility.

MOSS VALE PLASTICS RECYCLING FACILITY – Application number SSD-9409987

Dear Madam / Sir
I express my strong objection to the Plasrefine plastics recycling facility proposed for Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands, NSW.

Here some key reasons for my objection to such a facility and its operator:
1) The proposed site for the facility is far too close to residential properties, as well as agricultural and farming properties.

2) Our Daughter and family are living in Moss Vale and my husband and I are contemplating buying there as well to retire close by, but not if there is a plastics recycling plant in our backyard.

3) What about the pollution and the fire hazard a plastics plant like this poses?! Not the first time we hear about them catching fires. And I hear from my daughter and friends that there is no local HAZMAT fire service personnel close by should such an event occur. Where is the toxic wastewater going?? In the Wingecarribee river ?? which is part of the Sydney water catchment. The whole site is on ecologically sensitive land! Why does this not come up in an environmental impact statement???

4) Moss Vale and the Southern Highlands are growing more and more popular and that makes the safety issues more and more apparent for Day Care Centres, Schools, farming, animals, Nursing homes, Retirement homes, people in general (Higher health risk with the plastic microparticles floating in the air).

5) Prices of property will be negatively impacted in close vicinity to it. Homeowners that bought land, built houses and in good faith took on large mortgages will experience additional financial stress and hardship. What about the people who spent their hard earned money and work a vineyard?!

6) What about traffic and the impact it will have with the additional traffic of heavy vehicles through Moss Vale, New Berrima and throughout the Southern Highlands and their communities. Moss Vale, Bowral, Berrima; these communities barely manage the current traffic. Imagine what the trucks will do to the infrastructure and the roads going there 7 days a week!! Look at the roads in the Highlands; potholes after potholes were just filled up to get washed out again with the next downpour! Many roads should be properly resurfaced, that is not even done.

7) There are so many concerns to let a facility like that to be build, too many!
One major concern though is the following:
The Principle Technical Director of Plasrefine Pty Ltd – Mr Lyu – has a long history of environmental sanctions applied by Chinese authorities in mainland China as this article confirms . (https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/a-big-blue-in-a-small-southern-highlands-town-over-a-giant-plastics-plant-20220111-p59nhp.html)

Many voices from the local communities, Wendy Tuckerman and the Wingecarribee Shire Council are NOT supportive of this facility and I request that you reject the amended application.

Regards
Birgit Kufner

There are a number of reasons that cause me to object to this proposal.
1) "Not the right site" As well as being very close to the town of Moss Vale, with housing close by, the site is also in water catchment for the Wingecarribee River, Sydney's water supply.
2) Traffic: While the very concerning original access routes have been modified, it is still going to cause significantly increased large truck movements on some rather basic road infrastructure. It has been noted that trucks will now be using level crossings and this may create problems with the use of the rail line to Boral. So I hope that the various interruptions caused by rail line crossings have been factored in, or there will be seriously backed up traffic in the area.
3) There is a large and beautiful artificial lake on part of the property, bordering with the Garvan Institute. This dam supports wildlife and in times of bushfires could be important access for water for firefighting.
4) there is some possibility of a plastic recycling industry experiencing a fire. Such a fire would produce toxic smoke which would affect many people living in the nearby residential areas, as well as those working in the light industries around the factory.
5) Sludge: there will be an unpleasant by-product known as sludge. Apparently this will be trucked ...away? No information is forthcoming as to where, but as the Wingecarribee Shire has no major landfill , presumably this product will take a long road journey to some place that is not identified. Where it will be dumped. I am aware that small rural villages such as Dalton and Gunning are living under threat of a sludge dump. Whatever is planned for sludge disposal needs to be made clear.

I am extremely concerned about the effects of this project on the Southern Highlands Community and Greater Sydney Community.
Whilst I understand the need to recycle plastic, I definitely do not understand how a proponent with NO experience in recycling plastic or corporate history can be given such an opportunity to develop such a recycling plant, especially when he has a long list of environmental sanctions against him in China. I would think that these facts alone would disqualify him from going ahead with this ill-conceived proposal.
I also understand that the proponent only selected the Moss Vale Site because it was for sale and affordable. This does not make it an acceptable location for a plastics recycling factory given its proximity to schools, homes and the township of Moss Vale.
It is clear that the pollution from the plant will affect the population as well as the livestock in the surrounding high value agricultural land. The toxic effects will also impact on the Moss Vale sewerage treatment plant which will then impact the local river system and catchment area which feeds into the Sydney Water Supply. There is potential for irreversible damage to this area as well as serious health effects in the population. This would then impact on the State Government's health budget.
Another serious concern is FIRE. The lack of HAZMAT resources in the Wingecarribee Shire local government area and the fact that there are an increasing number of fires in waste facilities is clearly an issue. In this area we only have the standard regional fire services which are not equipped to deal with HAZMAT situations. In fact we have enough issues with bushfires alone as has been clearly demonstrated recently.
I and many others I am sure, live in this area because of the improvement in air quality compared with Sydney and I do not want to be subjected to air pollution as a result of emissions containing microplastics and other toxins emitted from the plant or potential accidents due to human error. I am sure that young families and everyone else in this area would have the same perspective.
I am worried that the Local DCP does not allow for this type of Heavy Industry on that site which it regards as a 'buffer' and therefore I cannot understand why the State Government is trying to override local experts.
The Southern Highlands is an important tourist area and by allowing such a development will impact on the viability of this industry permanently as a result of the heavy industrial traffic and pollution making it definitely unattractive to visitors.
Overall the extreme lack of detail is a serious issue and obviously reflects the proponent's inexperience, lack of knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the recycling processes and their effects on the environment. It also suggests a general disdain for the local community and a desire to make a 'fast buck'.The proposal should not be approved on this basis alone.
I therefore demand, in the strongest possible terms, that you reject this project outright once and for all.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Kerr

I formally object to the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility for many reasons:
It is too close to many homes and schools in Moss Vale
The Main Street is already congested, close to more than 300 vehicles daily would be disastrous
The toxicity of air and water born micro plastics causing serious health issues/problems.
These micro plastics are indestructible and will stay in the air, soil and water indefinitely
The size of the proposed facility
The added traffic and pollution during construction of a five storey building

Director – Industry Assessments, Develop Assessment,
Department Of Planning and Environment

Robyn Dale McKern 
25 Hammond Ave 
Normanhurst, 2076 
29th October 2023 
 
SSD-9409987 -  PlasRefine Pty Ltd 
 
I am writing to object to the development of the PlasRefine plastic recycling plant proposed in Moss Vale. I have many objections including fire risk, air quality, noise pollution, toxic transmission, and not least the distress this is causing the residents directly impacted by the proposed plant. This has a direct impact on my family as my mother-in-law lives very close to the site. This issue has caused her a great deal of distress and worry for her direct environment and health. I like many believe that this is the wrong location for a Plastic recycling plant. 
 
Some of my concerns are listed below: 
 
* The detrimental impact on the quality of the air due to VOCs and particulate matter that will be released into the atmosphere 
* The fire risk that is associated with plastic recyclingthat puts the community at risk 
* Noise pollution which has not has not been sufficiently addressed but the EIS - I can't imagine the noise pollution from a 24/7 operation, hundreds of trucks and how it will impact Moss Vale residents.  
* Waste disposal from plant operations and how this will be managed 
 
I cannot understand how this site has been determined to be appropriate for this purpose. The site is beautiful rural countryside which is landlocked and needs millions of dollars to be spent just to gain appropriate access. Surely there must be a more appropriate site.  
 
Not only am I concerned for the environment and Moss Vale as a beautiful country town, but I am also particularly concerned for my mother-in-law/family who will be directly impacted. In fact, the project has already had a significant impact on her health and well-being. She has a deep love and appreciation of the Southern Highlands and a respect for the land. The consequences for her if this goes ahead will be momentous.  
 
 
I urge you to reconsider allowing the PlasRefine project to proceed in the proposed location.  If true consideration of the well-being and health of the community is given, you too would see that this is the wrong site for a plastic recycling plant. 
 
Thank you for your consideration  
Robyn McKern 

My major concerns are the pollution that Plasrefine will produce & therefore impact the Southern Highlands as i know it. And visually the ambiance of the district. In addition the detrimental to both rural & financial aspects of the Southern Highlands.