Ipswich residents are being encouraged to get to know the ins and outs of a Waste to Energy Facility proposed to be built in Swanbank, through a series of pop-up information sessions by operator Remondis.
The proposed facility would include a waste to energy plant and associated resource recovery facilities to use non-recyclable waste to generate 50 megawatts of baseload power.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it was important the community understood what is being proposed, and that residents needed to be ready to make comment ahead of any formal consultation process.
“Project proponents Remondis are currently undertaking community consultation and information sessions, which is a chance for Ipswich residents to get more information on what exactly is being proposed,” Mayor Harding said.
“I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in waste industry activities, particularly those who live in or near Swanbank and may be in close proximity of the facility, to read about the proposal on the Remondis website, get as much information as you can, and make your voice heard when the time is right.
“This is the time for concerned residents to ask questions directly to the Remondis team.”
Mayor Harding said while the opportunity to formally comment wasn’t open yet, the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning had a range of information to read.
“At this stage, this is a State Government process and information about the proposal is available online for residents to read,” Mayor Harding said.
“In response to a number of enquiries, council has included the waste to energy proposal on ShapeYourIpswich.com.au with an FAQ section to help keep the community informed.
“This is not a council process, this is a State Government process and Remondis will have to get the State Government’s tick of approval on matters such as ensuring the project complies with state regulations when it comes to environmental impacts, noise, odour, water quality and emissions, as well assess if Remondis has a social licence for the project,” Mayor Harding said.
“Only once the State Government has approved the project will it come to council for assessment as a development application, against land use planning.
“Legally, Councillors cannot predetermine the outcome of any potential development application until it is presented to council for formal consideration.
“This could be a lengthy process that could take up to 18 months or more.”
The Office of the Coordinator-General has declared the facility to be a coordinated project requiring an Environmental Impact Statement, meaning the State Government will oversee assessment processes, and are preparing Terms of Reference that include social impact.
The Terms of Reference will be published as a draft for community review and feedback, likely later this year.
Declaration of a coordinated project is not an automatic approval for construction.
Information about the proposal is available from the Queensland Government’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s website, which can be found at https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/coordinator-general/assessments-and-approvals/coordinated-projects/current-projects/remondis-waste-to-energy-facility.
Council’s Shape Your Ipswich page can be found at https://www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/remondis-waste-energy-facility-proposal.
Information on the Swanbank Energy from Waste Plant on the Remondis website https://remondis.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/swanbank-energy-from-waste-plant/home
Information pop-ups are scheduled for:
- Thursday, 16 September at Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre from 5pm until 8pm.
- Friday, 24 September at Silkstone Village Shopping Centre from 10am until 2.30pm
- Saturday, 13 November at Collingwood Park Shopping Centre from 10am until 1pm
what can we do to stop this madness?
Ts same system as used in Greta Thunberg home town or didn’t you know Sweden burns it rubbish