Rachel spoke on a petition tabled by her Legalise Cannabis Victoria colleague, David Ettershank, member for Western Metropolitan. This petition called on the Minister for Planning to halt any progress toward a waste incinerator in Sunbury, citing concerns such as air pollution, impact on ecosystems and proximity to residential development.
Late last year Rachel Payne MP raised the rapid expansion of Waste to Energy (WtE) in Victoria in Parliament. Despite serious environmental and health concerns, enormous rubbish incinerators are either being built or planned in a so-called “ring of fire” around Melbourne.
Rachel asked a question to the Minister for Environment, requesting clarification on waste-to-energy caps and licences.
Rachel asked the government about waste-to-energy caps and the subsequent impact on Victoria’s Sustainability Fund.
Rachel moved a motion requiring the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to inquire into the expansion of waste-to-energy infrastructure in Victoria. After the debate, Rachel concluded her motion, before it was taken to a vote in the Victorian Legislative Council. The motion passed, with a vote count of 18 – 10.
With seven new licenses granted for waste-to-energy plants last week and the government increasing the annual cap on waste burning by 150%, it seems the future of Victoria’s waste management is going up in smoke. But not all waste-to-energy is created equal.
Rubbish is a global problem, and Australians produce more of it than most. Victoria’s dumps are overflowing, and our recycling system has been a debacle. The Victorian Government’s solution is called “Waste to Energy” (WtE), which conjures images of our excessive lifestyles being harnessed to produce power — but it’s greenwashing.
