The NSW Government has released the Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan, which outlines the planning considerations for future energy-from-waste infrastructure in the state. The plan is designed to ensure waste infrastructure is located in precincts most suitable for managing the state’s residual waste and also protects air quality for communities.
Cleanaway noted that the new plan limits the development of energy-from-waste facilities to four priority infrastructure areas, all of which are located outside the Sydney Basin, unless they meet certain criteria where the waste feedstock is a substitute to other fuels.
Since 2018, Cleanaway has been developing a proposal to construct a 500 ktpa (kilotonnes per annum) energy-from-waste facility in Western Sydney, which is currently being assessed by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
The project has been developed to meet Western Sydney’s growing needs for a localised sustainable waste disposal solution, while creating construction and operating employment opportunities and delivering valuable economic benefits for the area.
Cleanaway believes that energy-from-waste plays a key role in the waste value chain and transitioning to a circular economy. The company said it provides a long-term solution for waste that cannot be diverted from landfill and delivers a better environmental solution compared to landfill.
Under the new infrastructure plan, operators of energy-from-waste projects will be required to make emissions data available to the community in real time online, to boost community confidence and transparency.
Cleanaway said the Western Sydney project is being developed to exceed the most stringent global emissions standards for energy-from-waste.
The company is now considering the new Infrastructure plan to find a way forward for its project that is consistent with the plan.
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