The NSW Nationals have secured a Parliamentary inquiry into waste to energy incinerators, following concerns almost a million tonnes of extra waste could be sent to the regions each year to help deal with an overflow in Sydney.
The motion was moved in the Upper House by NSW Nationals MLC Scott Barrett with fellow Nationals MLC Nichole Overall appointed Chair of the Select Committee.
The inquiry, which originally intended to explore current plans for two large energy recovery facilities in Tarago and Parkes, has now also been expanded to cover other potential areas in regional NSW.
Mrs Overall said she was appreciative of the support across the Chamber to see the inquiry get up and for the opportunity to chair it.
"This provides the chance for community members to raise the many questions they have around potentially millions of tonnes of waste being dumped in their backyards," Mrs Overall said.
"The objective is to fully explore the issues and look at options and alternatives to the ever-growing Sydney waste problem that doesn't leave some areas worse off than others.
"People have genuine concerns around the plan and they are coming from a place of wanting answers and information that they feel they just haven't received.
"I look forward to working with the Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman, and the Inquiry's Deputy Chair Dr Amanda Cohn on this matter, and the community members in Parkes who initially reached out to me."
The inquiry will look at matters including the risk of potentially toxic emissions, the health implications of the projects, and the impact they will have on agriculture.
Mr Barrett is encouraging people to come forward and have their say.
"Initially this was a tough issue for me, I want to see our communities thrive and grow, but we don't want projects that will put them at risk," Mr Barrett said.
"The proposed Parkes incinerator would divert 600,000 tonnes of waste from Sydney, so it's common sense for that community to have their voices heard, which is something that was sorely missing from the consultation phase of this project.
"I recently took part in an information night hosted by the Parkes Clean Future Alliance, which was attended by nearly 600 people, and it was clear the community feels there are too many unanswered questions here."
The amended terms of reference for the Parliamentary Inquiry include:
i. The performance of the technologies proposed for the Tarago and Parkes Energy Recovery Facilities as compared to leading thermal technologies employed in "state of the art" facilities internationally;
ii. The spread of the emissions predicted and the quality of emissions to be generated;
iii. Health impacts from currently operating older technology waste incinerators as compared to the proposed newer technology;
iv. Impacts on human health including on regional town drinking water, rainwater harvesting and soil contamination;
v. The impact on agriculture including sheep, cattle and crop production locally and across the wider region;
vi. Alterations to the Parkes Special Activation Precinct specifically in relation to the proposed Energy Recovery Facility in that region;
vii. Impacts of waste-dumping over a number of decades in the Tarago region;
viii. The methodology of emission monitoring employed by leading large-scale waste-to-energy facilities in Australia and across the world;
ix. And any related matters.
