Thursday, 13 November 2025

 David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (10:01): Residents of Sunbury are deeply frustrated and disappointed that their concerns about the proposed rubbish incinerator in their town remains largely unaddressed – the health impacts, air quality and proximity to homes, farms and Emu Creek, not to mention the dramatic increase in heavy traffic to truck rubbish from around Victoria to make up the 750,000 tonnes of rubbish to be burnt annually. HiQ, the operators, and the EPA tell residents that information will not be available until there is a formal application in place next year. Surely someone at HiQ has more information about technology they claim is tried and tested. HiQ has had many EPA breaches in its name, including one only last month, yet we are supposed to take on faith HiQ’s commitment to safeguarding our community’s wellbeing. The issue has united the community, who contacted their local member in the lower house, Mr Josh Bull, a Sunbury local who I am sure shares his neighbours’ alarm at this proposal. Mr Bull has confirmed his support for the parliamentary inquiry into waste to energy and indicated that he will await the findings of that inquiry prior to taking further action. Accordingly we now look to the government for some assurance that licensing of the Sunbury incinerator will not be finalised prior to the conclusion of that inquiry.