Tuesday, 2 December 2025

 David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) presented a petition bearing 3264 signatures:

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that the proposed construction of a waste incinerator in Sunbury is causing great concern among local residents. Sunbury has repeatedly been treated as a dumping ground for metropolitan waste projects.

There are unaddressed concerns about increased air pollution, an incinerator’s impact on local ecosystems, and the introduction of more than 700 additional heavy trucks per day on roads that are already congested, exacerbating safety and quality of life issues. The proposed site will also be adjoining housing and a future town centre according to the Hume Integrated Growth Area Plans.

HiQ, has previously been fined by the EPA for 13 offences or contraventions, calling into question HiQ’s ability to ensure the incinerator is operated in a safe or compliant way. The risks to public health, and the environment, posed by the proposed waste-to-energy incinerator have alarmed residents.

The Petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council of Victoria:

Calls on the Minister for Planning to immediately halt any approval or progress towards building a waste incinerator in Sunbury, until the Economy and Infrastructure Committee inquiry into Waste to Energy is complete.

David ETTERSHANK: As this is a petition qualifying for debate under standing order 11.03(10), I give notice that I intend to move ‘That the petition be taken into consideration’ on Wednesday of next sitting week.