Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility

Please find attached a word document where I have outlined my concerns and questions in relation to the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility Amended Application (SSD-9409987).

I strongly oppose the proposed Moss Vale recycling facility. I am very concerned about the environmental pollution and health risks posed by the plastic recycling process.Toxic chemicals which are hazardous to our health should not be anywhere near our communities. A report from Greenpeace of peer reviewed research concluded that ‘recycled plastics often contain higher levels of chemicals that can poison people and contaminate communities. The additional heavy vehicle traffic through residential areas is another concern.
Why has the community consultation been so inadequate? Everyone living in the Southern Highlands should be informed about this proposal and must be given the opportunity to make a submission.
A plastics recycling facility will have a huge negative impact on the health and amenity of the Southern Highlands and should not be given approval.

There has to be a better site to operate this facility that is far away from a major residential community. There is no doubt that there will be pollution risks and an overloading on our already damaged transport infrastructure. The community struggles to keep its roads functioning in wet weather with large number of pot holes occuring. If there is 280 heavy vehicles using it in addition current use, they are going to cause more damage to the roads on the proposed route.
I have a serious concern over the waste from plastics getting into our water system and into the bodies of local residents. There are no controls over the makeup of the plastics that would be processed. As much as the proposal will tell you otherwise, there are no guarantees that forever chemical will not be processed in a plant and that they will not make their way into our water system. They will not be testing the makeup of 120000 tonnes of plastic per annum to confirm that it is safe from these chemicals. The best they will do is to sample and produce statistical analysis. There are too many risks here. We know the impact of PFAs on the community in Jervis bay and the major increase in cancer occurring in that population and the increase in deaths due to it.
Please reject this submission. It is not the right location. It needs to be a significant distance away from a population to migrate the risks to communities from the effects of waste and transport infrastructure. The owners of the proposal are being lazy by choosing a site in the middle of a community area because it is cheap and easy to suit their purposes. It shows the character of the owners of the company in a bad light and it demonstratea that they are unlikely to be exceptional guardians over the environment which would be required to operate a plastics refinery properly.

There is an urgent need for a facility of this type to be developed so that plastics which cannot currently be managed/reprocessed (following the demise of RED). The proposed location is in a location zoned for industrial projects like this, and assuming that the development approval is conditioned for compliance with relevant environment, Government and Local Government regulations it should be capable of being constructed and operated with manageable impact on the community.
I am mindful that a proposal for a waste to energy proposal near Marulan was refused recently, not withstanding the fact that two projects using the same technology are soon to be commissioned in Kwinana, Western Australia, having completed the approval processes required by the WA Government.
The simple "not in my back yard" objection is not appropriate.
I support the properly conditioned project - it should be developed along with the infrastructure needed to facilitate its operation.

Plasrefine is not fit for purpose on this location.Their proposal will pose threats to the Safety,Health and the Environment not only for local residents, but impact Sydney drinking water.

1/Health professionals: have stated the harm this project could do to Local Residents health.
2/Fire risk: The local Brigades have been consulted & stated they are not equiped to deal with a large Chemical fire in a recycling facility.
3/Impact on The Garvan Institute of Medical Research ,established in Moss Vale 2008, is located next door.A critically important research Lab, recognised world wide for the research done.
4/Roads:We can not cope with the influx of traffic now.The damage to our roads would be monumental with the movement of trucks 24/7 on local roads.
5/The site is land locked:Relocating the rail crossing for Plasrefine to gain road access is incredibly dangerous for all other traffic(trains, buses, cars, semi trailers)
6/Business Impact:The contamination to the land & environment due to emissions.The local Businesses will be impacted due to impact on Tourism.This will also have a flow on affect to Businesses Nationally who book venues for events in this area.

The local Community do not support this project.The Government would be so short sighted if 140 jobs is the attraction of this proposal in comparison to the detrimental side affects.

Plasrefine can not guarantee there would not be uncontrolled release of emissions of Microplastics.

Please do not allow this project to be passed.The local Community fought for 10 years to stop Posco/Cockatoo Coal Mine, due to Health & Environmental impacts.

The Community will do the same to stop Plasrefine.

Thank you

This proposal has been changed many times and still has not addressed the major problems.
This area is known for tourism and upmarket agriculture, both will disappear with job loses.
The size of the buildings, the smell and air pollution will be above the acceptable limits. They wish to offer counselling to those affected. Clearly the site is wrong if this is the solution.
This is a 24 hour operation on already crowded streets.
Fully enclosed factory but has 24 windows for light and ventilation and trucks going in and out for 24 hours in a normally quiet town at night.
Sydney’s drinking water will be contaminated and Moss Vale’s water will be drained and our sewerage system will not cope.
Light spill assessment was done at 10.23am. It should have been done at night.
120,000 tonnes of plastic waste will be transported by trucks from Sydney,Canberra, Wollongong and Melbourne and other areas, this will create massive road problems.
They admit that there will be micro plastics being released into the environment,which is unacceptable.
These facilities have a record of major fire risk and that could be disastrous to contain and resources would have to come from elsewhere to cope.
The EPA’s odour issues have not been addressed.
The property has already been fined in China for pollution and building code breaches and this will happen in Australia .
The submission is not complete and the sit in Moss Vale is clearly not the right site for a dirty huge industrial smelly factory.
Thank you.

I wish to express my strong opposition to the Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility SSD—9409987. I write as a resident of Moss Vale and surrounding NSW Southern Highlands.
I have many concerns with regard to the impact on the community and the environment. I have been dismayed at the apparent lack of consultation within the community by the consulting company GHD, and what appears to be a lack of genuine desire to understand the social impact of this development on the community. I am concerned about the complete disregard of community sentiment by the proponents’ director. By the director’s own admission, she has no experience in plastic recycling and nor does the Chief Technical Operator, Mr Lyu Yalin, noted in the scope.

Of great alarm is that the proponent has stated that this site was selected mainly due to the fact the land was for sale and affordable.

The scale and purpose of the proposal is highly unsuitable for the site, situated adjacent to sensitive land uses such as the Garvan Institute, residential homes, childcare centre, a school, and on cattle farming land.

I understand the Director of Plasrefine, Nanxi Zheng, admitted that she and her uncle Mr Lyu have only visited recycling facilities in China, this is their only experience of the industry. This lack of experience does not give confidence to me that the proponents are capable of the successful construction and operation of such a contentious and potentially harmful facility. Evidence suggests that further investigation into plastic incineration facilities is required to determine the impacts to health and the environment.

I also note that the proposal requires an Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) to be obtained, and although this determination is separate to the DA process, much consideration should be given to whether the applicant is considered to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

Of particular concern is the road and transport access. If approved, this project will have up to 200 truck movements per day in a residential area along narrow, unsurfaced (in places) country roads that service multiple residential properties. The proposal advises that a new access road be provided that extends from the plastics recycling and reprocessing facility site to Lackey Road via the currently unformed Braddon Road (paper road), and Beaconsfield Road.

With no detailed site surveys included in the EIS, it is difficult to understand how the proposal will navigate the difficulties of this site without causing significant and ongoing impacts on surrounding land uses, and the contamination of the water table with water-borne ‘forever chemicals’. Prevailing winds will on most occasions distribute toxic air over not only adjacent residential and other sensitive areas of Moss Vale but also Burradoo, Bowral, Mittagong and Southern Highlands villages.

In conclusion, I am concerned that any proponent can put forward a potentially hazardous project on the cheapest land they can find, in the most inappropriate location. The negative impacts of the development, including traffic, visual, noise, odour, water and the social impacts on community far outweigh any other public benefit that such a development can offer and which can be better utilised on a site more suitable. I oppose this development and ask the proposal be refused for the reasons sited.

I Strongly object to the establishment of the proposed Plasrefine facility being build on rural land adjacent to hundreds of family homes and home to local wild life with the Garven Institute in the same area. The proposed design of the building and stack will be greater than 22 metres emitting smoke and micro plastics 24/7 as proposed for 3 shifts of workers each day. The demand for water for the facility would come from collecting their rainwater for this purpose which would not go far if the building would catch fire as many of them have in the past. How would they deal with the waste products ie sludge - discharge it into the local creek maybe? My concern is for the pollution and the amount of B double trucks and extra traffic on our already congested town roads. The fact that the principal owner has a very poor tract record for pollution in his own country speaks volumes also I would not be surprised if a majority of the labour force were not Chinese Nationals, Moss Vale is not the right site, plenty of room around Canberra

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed PlasRefine plastic recycling facility in Moss Vale.

The industrial nature of this facility is completely unsuitable for residential and agricultural communities who call Moss Vale. Moss Vale is renowned for its livestock reering, farmers' markets, and traditional agricultural shows and seasonal festivals which form the heart of our community and contribute significantly to the character and identity of our town. The proposed industrial recycling facility directly threatens the continuation of these traditions.

The international company who intended to build the 15 metre high factory with a 22 metre exhaust stack, covering 8 acres to process toxic plastic waste, does not have any relationship with this community and appears to be unaware or disinterested in the detrimental ramifications it will cause on the local community.
Moss Vale is simply NOT the best site for a facility of this nature, with facility's intention to operate every hour and day of the year, it will severely disrupt the quality of life of every residents and families in Moss Vale. A more industrialised location with existing road infrastructure, away from farms and children is the best place for industrial waste processing facilities.

One of the primary concerns with this proposed recycling facility is the potential for environmental and health hazards it poses to this community. The emission of toxic substances from the recycling process, including noxious fumes, airborne particulates, and hazardous chemicals, is a matter of great concern. The toxic emissions from such an operation could endanger the health of our residents, the livestock, the fertile agricultural lands that surround our town and the health of our community.

Moss Vale's rich agricultural tradition is built on the foundation of clean air and water, essential elements for livestock health and crop production. These beautiful aspects of Moss Vale and the community are at significant risk if the development goes forward. Furthermore, the aesthetic and cultural impact of a plastic recycling facility in the vicinity of Moss Vale is a grave concern. The toxic waste, constant industrial traffic that often accompany such operations are significantly out of place in our residential and pastoral community. Moss Vale has a unique charm and character that draws people from near and far to experience its rural beauty. An industrial facility like this threatens the very essence of Moss Vale's identity.
The presence of an industrial plastic recycling facility in close proximity to our farms and residential homes puts these crucial components of our community at risk. The risk of contamination, both in the air and water sources, could have devastating consequences for our agricultural sector, which is not only a source of livelihood but also a source of pride and tradition. Moreover, there could be a mass exodus and devaluation of land, if families and residents choose to leave Moss Vale if the PlasRefine Industrial Waste Processing facility goes forth.

In conclusion, I strongly urge you to reconsider the proposed plastic recycling facility in Moss Vale. The risks it poses to the environment, the health and well-being of our community, as well as the cultural and agricultural heritage we hold dear are too great to ignore. I implore you to prioritise the values and traditions that make Moss Vale the beloved community it is today, and to reject this ill-suited industrial development.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will make the right decision for the future of Moss Vale and its residents, and chose more suitable site for the PlasRefine recycling facility.

Sincerely,
Charlotte Power

Toxins produced to environment leading to health issues
Too close to town centre & additional loads on water & roads

Please see attached submission.

I am making a submission in opposition to the above mentioned State Significant Development by Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd.

As an owner of a residential property in Moss Vale I am gravely concerned about the inappropriate proposed Plastic Waste Recycling Facility at 74-76 Beaconsfield Road Moss Vale.
I believe the chosen site is inappropriate due to its proximity to residential properties and the impact it would have on the mental and physical health of the residents due to noise pollution and pollution from the trucks and the recycling plant.
In addition to the offensive "rubbish dump" smell that will be emitted from the trucks and the stored unprocessed materials, the leakage, spillage or dripping of entrained liquids that inadvertently occurs from movement of such materials, these heavy vehicles will only add to the traffic congestion and further degradation of the roads in the Wingecarribee Shire.
Furthermore I believe such a business should be located in close proximity to highway/freeway entry and exit ramps NOT close to any residential properties and certainly not where high numbers of trucks would pass near major schools. Very little is mentioned on the amount of traffic that would be removing waste products and finished products. I believe this will significantly add to the number of trucks traveling the proposed route.
There is great risk of pollution of water courses from seepage and rubbish escaping from trucks ending up flowing into the Sydney Water Catchment and this would include heavy metals from the residual contents of the plastic receptacles.
I oppose this development as I question how the contaminants from the plastic containers will be managed without risk to public health, how and where the waste will go, what barriers would be in place to prevent any contamination to the surrounding land including roadside areas from the truck routes closest to the facility.
There are too many unknowns about the long term effects of such a recycling facility on the immediate environment and people's health .
The anxiety this is causing my family is a great additional stress and my teenagers are extremely worried about their future and living in such an area should the Plasrefine be allowed to operate so close to Moss Vale schools and township. Personally I am very sensitive to chemical smells and exposure to such causes me significant headaches and nausea. One of the reasons for moving to Moss Vale is its elevation and the lower levels of air and noise pollution associated with living in cities.

Plastic recycling facilities are a KNOWN FIRE RISK and the impact this would have on the community should a fire ever break out would be immeasurable. Even with a 24/7 onsite fire fighting unit I oppose this development as the risk to the Moss Vale community is too high.

In summary, I believe it to be ludicrous that such a development so close to an expanding town of Moss Vale could even proceed to this stage. The Southern Highlands is renowned for its parks and gardens, for its natural environment and serenity and a plastic recycling plant as proposed by Plasrefine will not benefit the community and would forever destroy the pristine image of Wingecarribee and ultimately devalue the town.
I cannot find a single soul that supports this proposal and like myself most feel unsure and concerned about what the future holds for them should Plasrefine be allowed to construct and operate a Plastics Recycling Business at 74-76 Beaconsfield Road Moss Vale.


“I have not made a political donation and I do not give permission for my private details to be published”

Yours sincerely

The Southern Highlands is such a beautiful, clean, historically significant area and I feel this development would adversely affect residence, business and visitors alike.... its just not the right site... the Southern Highlands is just too precious to taint or ruin with developments like this. The Proposed development is located next to residential homes, close to town, may be burning 24/7 and may be pouring dangerous toxins into the far ranging air (with noticeable odour) & water, putting excessive strain on limited water supply & impact negatively on roads, property values & quality of life for all creatures great & small. Thank you

I am vehemently opposed to the establishment of a plastics recycling plant in Moss Vale for the following reasons:
1. Reprocessing of plastic waste is wasteful. Plastic is flammable and the toxic contamination risk to the surrounding neighbourhoods is a huge concern. Waste water that is released would be packed with billions of tiny particles contributing to the pollution of waterways and the endangerment of human health.
2. Advanced chemical processing to deal with the micro plastics can produce a toxic cocktail of chemical waste.
3. How will all the thousands of different types of plastics be sorted? They all include different chemical additives and colorants that may not be able to be recycled together.
4. This plant is located in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods. The noise, dust, smells and light-spill would all impact on residential areas nearby.
5. Our roads are already over burdened with traffic. We do not need daily intensive truck movements contributing to our existing traffic delays and clogged main roads. The wear and tear on these roads by the constant movement of heavy trucks will be a financial burden and safety issue for Wingecarribee residents.
6. Resources should be channelled into creating plastic alternatives.
7. This plastic recycling plant , if developed, should be located in an area as far away as possible from townships and villages for the above mentioned objections.
8. Once the damage has been done, it cannot be reversed. Common sense dictates that this recycling plant has been poorly planned in terms of its location and environmental consequences.

See attachment

This is not the right location for this project. It is a large polluting industrial project that is too close to the school, town and houses. I believe a plastic recycling facility is a good idea but not this close to a large population. The current state of the roads are already in poor shapes and lots of trucks will make it worse. There are also a lack of footpaths on the roads that will be used for the construction. This will make it dangerous for pedestrians, including my children, when walking.
I am very fearful of the toxic air and water-borne forever chemicals that will be produce as a result of the process. Especially given the owner has no experience in plastics recycling.

I am writing to submit my opposition to the State Significant Development application by Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd. for the proposed plastics recycling facility.
My objections highlight important considerations that should be thoroughly addressed and evaluated during the project's planning and approval process to ensure the well-being of the community and the environment.

Project is inappropriate for that part of the Economic Develop Zone as it adjoins housing. The zone was originally approved in 2006. Various Past Councils planning fails the local and broader community on this use. Traffic Plan is poor and impacts community. I have significant environmental concerns for this site. I am a former Deputy Mayor of Wingecarribee Shire Council and former Chair of the Economic Development Committee. A review of the Planning Controls must take place. This application should be rejected.