Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (20 June 2019)

Mr JENNINGS (South Eastern Metropolitan—Leader of the Government, Special Minister of State, Minister for Priority Precincts, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs):

RESPONSE TO SUBSTANTIVE QUESTION

Waste to energy technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, improve environmental and community outcomes and provide business opportunities. Victoria’s transition to a low carbon future will require a range of technologies to meet the Government’s long-term target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to ensure we maintain a safe, reliable and affordable electricity system.

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria is responsible for independently assessing new waste to energy facilities in Victoria, ensuring they use international best practice pollution controls which protect the health of neighbouring communities. As of the date of this response, EPA Victoria has not received any final applications for a waste to energy facility located in the City of Wyndham.

While there is a place for waste to energy in Victoria, it is better to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place. To this end, the Government is developing a whole-of-government circular economy policy and action plan to be released in 2020. The policy will consider how governments, businesses and households can all reduce waste generation, increase recycling and improve waste management. The government will consider the role of waste to energy technologies as an alternative to landfill in Victoria as part of the circular economy policy.

RESPONSE TO SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION

Victoria’s Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan establishes hubs of state importance where major waste management infrastructure should be supported. Waste to energy proponents should investigate options to site facilities near businesses that can make efficient use of energy they generate. However, accessing land on which to operate waste to energy facilities is a commercial matter for businesses and councils.

I am advised that the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group (MWRRG) is facilitating a process to consolidated waste from Victorian councils and offer into facilities using Advanced waste and resource recovery technologies—including but not limited to waste to energy facilities This project will divert waste from landfill and by providing consistent, long-term feedstocks, and it will leverage private investment in new, advanced waste facilities in Victoria. MWRRG continues to work closely with metropolitan councils on this project.