Wollert waste incinerator proposal gets a doubled cap licence

Recycling Victoria has doubled the cap licence for this proposed facility from 380,000 tonnes, to 760,000 tonnes of waste, per year. Initially, new permits were required with this doubling of capacity. However, late on Wednesday, we heard that Cleanaway had withdrawn the application for a development licence but kept the planning application open. Objections will close Tuesday 9 September.

A community meeting was held at the end of August, and Julie Ahmed, petition organiser, spoke on the potential dangers of Cleanaway's plan to burn over 2000 tonnes of rubbish a day for around 30 years at the Wollert facility. Health Researcher, Dr Marion Cincotta, spoke of waste incinerators converting rubbish into toxic ash, and emitting greenhouse gasses, cancer causing dioxins, carbon and heavy metal particulates. 

Curly Sedge Creek flows through the site, running into Merri Creek, potentially transporting sediment and runoff downstream. Curly Sedge Creek was the focus of the 2025 Merri Creek Environment Fund's campaign, as Melbourne’s only location for this nationally endangered species and providing rich habitat for other species including Growling Grass Frogs, Golden Sun Moths and Latham’s Snipe.

If you have already sent an objection to the Department of Transport and Planning – there is no need to resubmit – thank you for your contribution.
However, for the entire consultation period, the wrong email address for the planning department has been displayed on the Engage Victoria website.
This means emails may not have been received since February 2024.
If you previously sent a submission, please resend before the 9 September to: development.approvals@transport.vic.gov.au

What you can do

• Send in a planning objection by Tuesday 9th September. 
  • You can use the objection template: Wollert incinerator objection template.
  • Email your objection to: development.approvals@transport.vic.gov.au
  • Please cc NNI Wollert, so the group can keep a record of submissions made: nonorthernincinerator@gmail.com
  • For more information on the Cleanaway application: Ministerial permit PA230224
• Keep up to date with the issue by following and liking the NO Northern Incinerator Wollert Facebook page.
• Sign the petition.

More Information

• Wollert waste incinerator proposal - update, FoMC, July 2024
• FoMC strongly opposes waste incinerator project for Wollert, FoMC, Nov 2024
• Waste to energy plant pushback, Northern Star Weekly, 30 December 2024

Thanks to Max Sargent, NNI@Wollert for contributing to this article.

Photo: by No Northern Incinerator Wollert, with our thanks.