Last week Mayor Bob Kirk and NSW Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman issued a joint statement regarding the proposed Jerrara Power waste to energy project near Bungonia.
Mayor Bob Kirk said he and Mrs Tuckerman have listened to the proponent of the project, been involved in community consultation and also had meetings with concerned residents and groups such as the Jerrara Action Group.
“Last week we had the opportunity to meet with NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes, and during this we raised our strong concerns regarding the effect on the environment, human health, biodiversity, toxicity, transport and water usage,” Clr Kirk said.
Mrs Tuckerman said she too has strong concerns regarding this proposal and the community’s objections are abundantly clear.
“I want to thank the community for their feedback and representations made - I am doing everything in my capacity to strongly voice their concerns in NSW Parliament. I have advocated for further policy work with the Premier and Deputy Premier, the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Energy and Environment to determine appropriate areas for these kinds of projects across NSW. We can’t keep having these proposals threatening our way of life because of our close proximity to Sydney.
“There are many concerns surrounding the proposal including the health and environmental uncertainty and the protracted process that will eventually ascertain the project is unsuitable and frankly not welcome here,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
Mayor Kirk said Goulburn Mulwaree should not be seen as an easy option for the dumping of Sydney’s waste. “I understand waste to energy projects may have a role to play in our waste economy moving forward as we can’t continue to rely on landfill, however if these projects cause no odour, environmental effects or other issues they can be built in Sydney closer to the main source of waste as is the case in other capital cities throughout the world.”
“We have strong concerns regarding impact on mental and physical health of the community, and the uncertainty being created by this proposal. A number of residents purchased in this area after undertaking their due diligence research, only to now find this proponent can use the NSW Government Infrastructure SEPP to bypass Council’s planning policies in order to proceed with this proposal.
“Goulburn Mulwaree is already home to a number of quarries, renewable energy projects and the Veolia Woodlawn Eco Precinct where another waste to energy project is proposed. It is unreasonable for our region to become the concentration point for Sydney’s waste issues due to our proximity to the City,” Clr Kirk said.
