Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) presented a petition bearing 3158 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that:

•   Waste to energy incineration comes with significant impacts of our health, climate, environment and future generations. Even best practice models emit significant volumes of toxic air pollution, greenhouse gases, persistent organic pollutants, microplastics and hazardous ash waste over their lifetime. Recent evidence from Europe shows a legacy of dioxin contamination in the soil, eggs and other produce surrounding these facilities at levels harmful to human health.

•   Any such project will expose our communities, homes, schools, agricultural industries and the natural environment to this pollution. This will result in heightened risk of cancer, miscarriage, infant deaths, developmental delays, reproductive issues, heart disease and respiratory problems.

•   Other impacts include significant financial and contractual risks for local governments, while also undermining more sustainable and effective waste management solutions.

•   Waste to energy incineration produces significant greenhouse gas emissions. Their development would be inconsistent with our governments’ commitment to net zero.

•   Waste to energy incineration is a linear waste management technology incompatible with the Victorian Circular Economy Policy. Claims that it is part of the circular economy, or that it is better than landfill, are greenwashing.

•   There are safer, more effective ways to manage residual waste in Victoria.

The Petitioners therefore request that the Government demonstrate leadership in waste management as an essential community service, with an immediate moratorium on all proposed waste to energy incinerator projects and legislation to prohibit waste to energy incineration anywhere in Victoria.

Sarah MANSFIELD: 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.