Following 10 months of public consultation, referral to other agencies, technical assessment of the application and research, Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has granted a Works Approval for the construction of a used lead acid battery (ULAB) recycling plant proposed in Hazelwood North subject to a list of conditions.
Last year, EPA received a Works Approval application from Chunxing for the construction of the facility at Crown Allotment 2047, Fourth Road, Hazelwood North.
It will process 50,000 tonnes of used lead acid batteries into 28,000 tonnes of refined lead each year.
"After an extended community consultation period to accommodate disruptions caused by the bushfires and two community information sessions, we received more than 170 submissions," said EPA Manager Development Assessments Stephen Adamthwaite.
"The application was referred to eight government agencies for advice and EPA engaged a technical specialist with comprehensive knowledge of ULAB recycling world-wide to review the technical proposal."
"EPA is satisfied, subject to conditions, that the proposal will comply with the relevant legislation, polices and guidelines."
Those conditions include the provision of the final detailed design for the recycling plant to ensure it meets the strict emissions specifications required by the Works Approval, a full risk management plan and ongoing engagement with the community.
