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.
Wednesday, the 18th of June 2025
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
Substantive question
My question is for the Minister for Environment. The 7.30 Report recently ran a story on how Australia is embracing waste to energy, raising questions for what this means for our environment, our health and the future of waste management.
Alarmingly, this report noted that six waste-to-energy plants are planned in Victoria, two in New South Wales and one in Queensland. Not only is Victoria leading the country when it comes to waste to energy, but we have more proposals here than all other Australian jurisdictions combined. All the while, Recycling Victoria continues to call for expressions of interest for even more companies to open even more plants.
So my question is: why is the minister making Victoria the waste-to-energy capital of Australia?
Gayle Tierney (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water):
Substantive verbal response
Thank you, Ms Payne, for that question. The question will be referred to the Minister for Environment for a response as per the standing orders.
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
Supplementary question
I thank the minister for referring my question on. By way of supplementary, waste to energy produces greenhouse gases, is banned in the ACT, locks councils into decade-long contracts to generate a minimum amount of rubbish, undermines the circular economy, creates waste and pollutants and lacks social licence. At the same time, the proportion of waste going to landfill has not changed in the four years since the Victorian government started their circular economy policy.
Can the minister advise when they will consider a moratorium on waste to energy until these concerns are addressed?
Gayle Tierney (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water):
Supplementary verbal response
I thank Ms Payne for her question. The supplementary, as with the substantive, will be referred to the Minister for Environment.
Written response, received 1st of July 2025:
The Victorian Government remains strongly committed to a circular economy—it is identified in our Economic Growth Statement as one of five priority sectors to set the trajectory for Victoria’s future growth. Action under the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, including to improve household recycling systems and increase investment in recycling infrastructure, will continue to drive waste avoidance and recycling. Victoria has made significant progress to more effectively and productively manage its waste as a result of the Government’s record investment of over $538 million in waste and recycling since 2016. These reforms have reduced risks to the community, are creating thousands of jobs, delivering on our climate change targets, and ensuring Victorians have a recycling system they can rely on.
The Victorian Government supports waste to energy projects where they create clear net benefits and complement efforts to reduce and recycle waste. Waste to energy technologies can play a useful role in the transition to a circular economy, allowing the energy value to be captured from waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create new jobs. The waste to energy cap limit is in place to ensure that waste to energy remains a complementary solution within Victoria’s circular economy, prioritising waste reduction, reuse, and recycling before energy recovery.
Waste to energy facilities must operate in accordance with strict environment and human health regulations in Victoria. These rules require waste to energy facilities to use international best-practice pollution controls.
It is also critical that proposed facilities build a social licence to operate, and I expect operators to work closely with affected communities to understand and address concerns they raise.
Steve Dimopoulos MP
Member for Oakleigh
Minister for Environment
Related:
> Waste incineration and landfill targets – Rachel Payne
> Stop the Hampton Park Waste Transfer Station – Rachel Payne
> Truck traffic from proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station – Rachel Payne
> Decision to deny Hampton Park waste transfer station must be upheld – Rachel Payne
> LCV MP welcomes EPA decision not to support Hampton Park Waste Transfer Station – Rachel Payne
