Cleanaway's Western Sydney Energy & Resource Recovery Centre

Attached please find our Submission. As agreed to by Chris Ritchie we will be adding to this submission and will submit the additional information by 17th December 2020.
Best Regards
Melinda Wilson
Western Sydney Direct Action

I live in the Minchinbury area and have major concerns with the Project and the documentation provided by the Proponent in order to get approval for this Project. I should also add I am generally pro development, I believe that we need to look at ways to decrease our land fill however looking at the documentation provided by Cleanaway, as well as Cleanaway's terrible track record in providing such services, they are not the authority to be given such a project. As recent as October 2020, 26 Cleanaway sites were inspected by NSW EPA and only ONE was given a no action finding. Cleanaway was hit with numerous show cause notices, licensing issues, warning letters and advisory letters due to a series of concerns, worryingly many ongoing concerns, at the 25 sites including the sites where this Project is deemed to be operating out of. It just does not make sense to give Cleanaway any contract or proposals with their current 'employees lack of knowledge of environmental safety', 'consistent areas of concern' as identified by the NSW EPA. As EPA director Steve Beaman said the regulator was "concerned about Cleanaway's management of its operations to mitigate risk to the environment and to prevent pollution in the event of an incident". To give Cleanaway a contract such as this would be seriously irresponsible until they demonstrate change in their environmental practices.

Specifically to this Project there was some astounding comments put forward in the reports exhibited by Cleanaway, many misleading or just totally incorrect statements they have asserted.

Technical Report A (Air quality and Odour impact assessment) - there is no acknowledgment in the report of the existing odour concerns that have been continually reported to the EPA by local Businesses and Residents in this area (specifically Minchinbury) over the past 18 months. This odour comes from existing Cleanaway as well as surrounding facilities and has been a massive community concern in that time. To have no indication of what this is or no acknowledgment of this continual issue in their current documentation is astounding when this is already a community concern that is well documented and reported to EPA on a regular basis.

In the Executive Summary of this report there is also a ridiculous assertion on the results of the assessment which includes the following statement.

All predicted impacts associated with all emissions from the proposal are within the applicable in-stack limits and ground level criteria, apart from cumulative ground level PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, due to the existing background levels which already exceed the criteria (as 19030934A_WSERRC_AQ_200910_HiRes_Clean.docx
occurs across much of NSW). However, the predicted proposal contribution to ambient PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations is small and would not result in any discernible or measurable impact.

So the report suggests that all predicted impacts associated with emissions are within the applicable limits EXCEPT the PM2.5 and PM10 levels which are already above the limits as set out by their own technical experts. This means in reality that NOT all predicted impacts associated with emissions are met even by their own standards. If something is already above the accepted level then to say that adding to it will not make a difference is naïve at best. To say that all predicted impact levels are met except (PM2.5 and PM10) which are identified by NSW Health as recently as 2019 (https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/particulate-matter.aspx) as being responsible for reduced lung function, development of cardio vascular and respiratory disease, increase rate of disease progression and ultimately a reduction in life expectancy is a ludicrous assertion and demonstrates the disdain and lack of knowledge both the Proponent as well as the selected Consultant has for the Community as well as the truth.

As well as air quality and the safety and wellbeing of the people in Western Sydney who already have the lowest identifiable health rates in NSW (NSW Health 2016) there is also a major concern over the proximity of the site to the Prospect Reservoir. This site will be situated less than 1km from the Reservoir as well as less than 400m from the nearest tributary that finds it's way into the Reservoir. To suggest that contaminated groundwater or air borne particles will not pollute the Reservoir from such close proximity is either wishful thinking or a blatant disregard for the truth. The Soils and Water report claims that tributaries such as Eastern Creek and Reedy Creek can be used as almost mitigation measures to prevent the contamination of the Prospect Reservoir, this is false and almost anticipated destruction of these environments in order to protect Sydney's reserve drinking water supply like they are some disconnected creek system from the main Reservoir, which is completely false. The Prospect Reservoirs is Heritage Listed, it is Australia's oldest earthfill embankment dam and it is still used today to supply water to Sydney residents at times of high usage and also when maintenance is required on the main Warragamba line. If this resource is tainted it does not leave Sydney with a back up water supply in case of drought, terrorism, chemical spill or any other circumstances.

In conclusion this development currently with the reports provided does not meet the requirements of such an important long term project. The Proponent in its own reports suggests that poor air quality in this area is already above acceptable levels and yet they are proposing to increase these levels anyway contrary to NSW Health advice. The proximity to Prospect Reservoir is also an important factor, this is Sydney's largest back up drinking water supply. Cleanaway with their current environmental record should not be anywhere near this resource let alone setting up a new venture they have little knowledge of when they have shown the cannot operate their current facilities to the satisfaction of the NSW EPA.

This proposal is only kilometres from Minchinbury homes, schools, child care centres and sports grounds. This proposal is close to MY home. I build in this area in 1998 for the open space and the village feel of our little estate. To have ANOTHER proposal similar the one that NSW Government has already rejected is ridiculous.
I have had no contact from Cleanaway regarding this proposal despite their social media claims to have been involved with community through consultation - this is incorrect and untrue. There has been no information provided to the many thousands of residents of Minchinbury and definitely NO community consultation.

For the same reasons I objected the Next Generation incinerator, I am objecting to this Cleanaway incinerator. This proposal will harm the health of many people who reside now in Minchinbury and communities surrounding Minchinbury, suburbs as far South as Wetherill Park, as west as Penrith and as North as Quakers Hill and as East as Prospect. This proposal does not satisfactorily guarantee that all of the material being fed into the facility is not dangerous.

Cleanaway has not provided a "reference point", a facility of a similar scale operating under a regulatory framework like that in NSW, to prove the proposal is safe.

Epidemiological studies provide sufficient evidence of direct health impacts of incinerators, which range from neoplasia to congenital anomalies, infant deaths and miscarriage. While more research can be done on newer incinerators when enough data is collected over time, the findings of existing studies suggest serious risks associated with incinerators, both for nearby and distant populations. Based on the evidence already available this proposal should be rejected as the location of this proposed incinerator is too close to existing residential dwellings affecting tens of thousands of western Sydney residents.

It is crazy to think that this project was even a consideration. This should not proceed at ALL!

The project is an unacceptable risk to the health of nearby residents. There are numerous studies available demonstrating the risk of respiratory diseases in projects similar to this in the UK.
Within a short distance of this proposed incinerator there are numerous childcare centres, numerous schools and several residential enclaves. This incinerator has no business being so close to the pre existing residential estates.
The community has fought against this proposal a couple of times now. Why do we need to keep fighting against this obviously flawed project.
The company falsely has stated that they have surveyed the community yet no one in our community has ever been contacted for an opinion.

I would like to express my disbelief in that we are having to debate this proposal again after it was denied the first time due to the health risks that it will bring into the communites involved. Why are we revisiting this again? I am a resident who will be in that cluster area of having not 1 but 2 in the danger zone crossover. I am currently retired due to my health issues which are C.O.P.D, Mild Emphysema and Parenchymal Lung Disease and also asthmatic. My conditions are already exacerbated from the smell of the tip on Wallgrove rd which we as a community are reporting constantly to the E.P.A. The smell permeates through my garage and my home on some nights/mornings.
As I have previously stated in my past submission voting against this preposterous proposal, my grandchildren who spend a lot of time with me also suffer from asthma. Why should they suffer in the future with poor quality air due to the greed of others and thoughtlessness. It is up to us to protect them as they don't have a voice and can't speak on these issues. Same goes for the elderly who oppose but don't know where to turn as modern technology and writing submissions are just too much for them to deal with. Again, people are not just numbers or lives to play around with. I am so very upset and extremely concerned and anxious about having to fight this proposal again when it clearly shows these horrid incinerators cause health issues and spread toxic vapors and particles into our breathing air.
I truly hope whoever is rethinking to approve this has thought about the various possible problems this will instill into many communities. Not only health issues but home valuations and our environment which WILL be affected. Once the green light is given then it will be anything goes as they say and they will do as they please. Last time we all met as a community to voice our opinions at a local school and we had the Cleanaway trucks going up and down our streets trying to intimidate and scare us. It wasn't a nice feeling and no doubt this will be the cowboy attitude they will adapt if this is approved. Our children and most of the elderly do not have a voice as it's too hard for them to speak up and they rely on others to do it for them. This will affect our home values and our breathing air, so again I am having my home valued incase by some ridiculous chance this is approved. If my health or my grand childrens health deteriorates due to this being approved I will be seeking financial assistance or compensation as I have retired now due to ill health and don't have excess money to throw around in relocating having to find another home as this is where I spend most of my time.
Please do not put profits before people. It will be a total injustice to all involved if this is approved.

There are enough horrible smells at my home from the tip, we don't need this also.
Bad for our health and environment.

I strongly object this project.

The original incinerator was rejected due to several major health issues which will not only affect residents residing in Eastern Creek but the greater Western Sydney. There is many obvious facts and evidence in regards to this.

I object because it will have negative health impacts on the citizens of this area. Many people in this area already suffer health problems due to poverty or other reasons. This will be one cause for major issues.

I strongly oppose the construction of this project due to the pollution it would cause to residential areas. Despite claims that they have pollution mitagition technology, I am not convinced that the surrounding residential areas will be free from harm. As well as this I don't believe in the burning of waste for energy and believe that this disencourages recycling and the reduction of waste products in the first place. I believe NSW and Australia for that matter should be investing in actual clean energy such as solar and wind rather than polluting methods such as garbage incinerators.

I believe this should not go ahead due to the fact that this will affect air quality, hygiene and affect the health of the community.

We have not had any consultation for this nor have people in this community.

This sort of thing should be away from any community in Australia.

There has to better a better option than using an incinerator.

Reading about this really makes me afraid of what the future holds. Why is the government accepting something that could potentially cause cancer. Do we need to risk any more lives. I dont think so!

Re-think this!

The Western Sydney region does not need to more pollution and waste facilities dumped in it. Also the branding of " clean energy" through waste to energy is false as studies show more methane is being produced through similar facilities in Sweden. Renewable energy sources should be the focus of attention, not giving in to mining and waste conglomerates focusing on energy that harms our already damaged environment.

I don't want this project to go forth because I believe it will be a hazard to the community.

I object to the proposed creation of power from incinerated solid waste because the generation of fumes and residue far outweighs the benefits to the local community.
The residents of the catchment area have chosen to live so far from the city centre, not because of the abundance of facilities available to them, but because of the need for fresh air and clean living spaces. We are not opposed to progress but can see no benefits in the installation of a solid waste incinerator within an area inhabited by young families with children deemed to be the future of our nation. Since power generation takes many forms and the transfer of that power can be managed from remote locations it seems an untenable plan to put it amongst residential space

This project has only just come to my attention.

I object until such time that I feel the Blacktown City Council and neighbouring Council population have time to consider the short, mid and long term impacts and potential risks of this project.

If this project works, it will just lead to more people continuing to generate waste because the root cause issue is not solved around waste generation.

If it does not work and pollution or other fall out arises then we will have great density of population impacted and feel they had no choice due to no education or awareness on the matter.

I object.

I understand the need to find ways to deal with our increasing wastes problem especially since the China Sword policy got enacted.

However, a wastes incinerator - no matter how up to date the technology will be - will still pose a high risk especially if built within close vicinity to where people work, live and play. And in particular, close to Prospect Reservoir, which is the Cleanaway proposal at Eastern Creek.

Please consider the growing population of western Sydney. If the Government and the waste companies are desperate to address our growing wastes, have the incinerator built somewhere else other than Greater Western Sydney. We will already be getting the airport.

Please consider the majority of the population.

I also encourage decision makers to increase education programs for waste generators as the core issue is the amount of wastes we generate due to our increased consumerism.

Anything that is burnt will produce carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas, however, in addition (depending on the materials being burnt) other pollutants are also generated which can radically affect the health of the population surrounding an industrial incinerator.

I have no general objection to an industrial incinerator being built providing all environmental safeguards are adhered to , however, having one close to a major population centre is not environmentally sound.

My wife "Maureen" is in full agreement with this submission.

the health of the surrounding communities will be impacted in a negative way due to the Toxic particles left in the air as a by product of the project.

Western Sydney does not need an incinerator
Our pollution is bad enough.
Our Asthma rates are high enough without this.
Our roads can't cope with Trucks 24/7
Please stop this project.