Waste to energy inquiry - report tabled in state parliament

The Victorian Legislative Council (Upper House of Parliament) Economy and Infrastructure Committee inquiry into Waste to Energy (WtE) released its report on 25 August, 2026.  Receiving 627 Submissions and 59 testimonies, including representation from the Friends of Merri Creek — the inquiry, responded to these terms of reference:

• the suitability of existing WtE infrastructure plans and policies;
• the impact of WtE technologies;
• alternative waste management approaches and emerging technologies that also align with circular economy principles; and
• the adequacy of community consultation.

The report includes 59 findings and 33 recommendations. A key recommendation was for manufacturers to be required to take greater responsibility for products at the end of their use. A national product stewardship scheme for plastics and packaging must be established to address this recommendation. The Victorian government should advocate for that.

Minority Report

Dr Sarah Mansfield, Greens Western Victoria, issued a minority report, which rejected the majority report because:

• it focussed on strengthening regulation, rather than rejecting the idea that WtE should be part of the waste management solution; and
• there was compelling evidence presented to the inquiry of harm to human health and the environment from WtE.

As such, the precautionary principle should apply and the Victorian Government should prohibit WtE in the state. Going back to the majority report: it found that Victoria is not on track to meet the target of diverting 80% of waste from landfills by 2030 and called for:

• greater transparency around waste-to-energy licence allocation decisions;
• periodic public reviews of Victoria's waste-to-energy cap;
• a central public register of waste-to-energy projects;
• stronger community consultation requirements;
• independent auditing and greater public reporting of facility emissions;
• community health surveillance and environmental biomonitoring programs;
• improved public education on both waste reduction and waste-to-energy technologies.

This inquiry was so timely and necessary as the Victorian Government supports a massive waste burning agenda across the state, close to residents, drinking water catchments, food growing areas and vulnerable natural environments. Congratulations to Victorian MP Rachel Payne who proposed the motion calling for the inquiry and to Dr Sarah Mansfield and other MP's in the Legislative Council for supporting the motion.

FoMC strongly supports the minority report as the proposed WtE incinerators pose an unacceptable risk to catchments and people living near the WtE incinerators. The proposed Wollert waste incinerator on Curly Sedge Creek, a tributary of Merri Creek - threatens the health of the environment and communitiy of Merri Merri Country. 

More to explore:

The Friends at the waste to energy inquiry, Merri Growler, June 2026
FoMC Submission on Cleanaway Development Licence Application for MERC, April 2024
FoMC Submission to Legislative Council Inquiry into Waste to Energy in Victoria, March 2026

Image credit: At the tabling of the report, State Parliament, 25 August 2026, photo by No Northern Incinerator Wollert, with thanks.