Victoria's Burning Problem - Waste to Energy

INVESTIGATE WASTE TO ENERGY IN VICTORIA

*Every year more and more of Victoria’s waste* *will be set on fire.*

Victoria is building a “ring of fire” of rubbish incinerators. We have more waste to energy (WtE) projects on foot than all other Australian jurisdictions combined.

Several new licences have recently been granted and projects are being proposed in Lara, Wollert, Maryvale, Sunbury, Laverton North and Dandenong South. Once these reach full operating capacity, the vast majority of waste in Victoria could be taken from landfill to be burnt. The ACT has banned these kinds of projects and NSW does not allow them in residential areas.

This represents one of the most significant shifts in waste management policy in Victoria’s history.

In today’s changing climate, the rapid development and expansion of WtE infrastructure requires further investigation to fully understand its’ consequences. That’s why we successfully called for a parliamentary committee to investigate and report on the development and expansion of WtE infrastructure in Victoria!

The committee will table their report by August 2026, and the government must respond within six months.

HOW CAN I HELP?

MAKE A SUBMISSION HERE AND HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

The committee is calling for public submissions, with a deadline of 27 March 2026.

They want to hear directly from community members about their experiences, ideas and concerns. You are welcome to share your views on things like how WtE facilities might affect local communities, whether current consultation processes are working well and any other matters you think are important. Your submission will help the Committee understand how WtE is developing in Victoria and what it means for the people who live here.

📰 LATEST NEWS

Victoria’s Burning Problem – Waste to Energy
Posted in Campaigns
INVESTIGATE WASTE TO ENERGY IN VICTORIA Victoria is building a “ring of fire” of rubbish incinerators. We have more waste to energy (WtE) projects on foot than all other Australian jurisdictions combined. Several new licences have recently been granted and projects are being proposed in…
Waste-to-energy could cause more problems than it solves
Posted in Parliament, Questions to Parliament
Rachel noted some of the associated risks of waste-to-energy, questioning why the state government is committing to six new plants despite potential harms.
Waste incineration and landfill targets
Posted in Parliament, Questions to Parliament
Rachel questioned the government on waste management. She inquired about waste management targets and the establishment of large-scale waste incineration over a circular economy.
Inquiry into Waste-to-Energy passed!
Posted in Parliament, Contributions
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.
Waste-to-Energy inquiry debate sparked
Posted in Parliament, Contributions
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: A burning problem in Victoria
Posted in News, Media Releases
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.