Residents fear proposed waste-to-energy plant could ‘decimate’ recycling industry – ABC News

Residents in Ipswich have vowed to continue fighting against a $400 million waste-to-energy incinerator that has been proposed for Swanbank at Ipswich, west of Brisbane.
Key points:

• The proposed waste-to-energy plant would incinerate unrecyclable waste to create 50 megawatts of electricity
• There are fears an incinerator plant would encourage people to generate waste
• Queensland recycles just 30 per cent of its waste

The project’s proponents, German waste company Remondis, said the facility would take 50,000 tonnes of waste per year and create 50 megawatts of electricity which could power up to 50,000 homes.
But residents in the surrounding area where the facility is to be built fear the incinerator will encourage people to create more waste, rather than recycle it.
The project passed its first hurdle earlier this month when the Queensland Government declared it a coordinated project.
‘We have had enough’
Jim Dodrill, president of Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments, said there’s widespread concern among the group that the facility will be harmful to residents.
“Scientific data from around the world has shown that waste incineration is not good for human health and we oppose it very much for that reason,” Mr Dodrill said.
“We have had enough of the reputation of Ipswich as the dump capital of Australia.
“We believe it’s time for other places to shoulder the burden and manage their own waste we shouldn’t have to be managing everybody else’s waste.”
Jim Dodrill and Geoff Yarnham are from the Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments.(ABC News: Baz Ruddick)
In the past, waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators have been billed as a viable, green alternative to landfill and have become widespread across Europe, following a ban on landfill sites.
“What has been proven around the world is that waste-to-energy incineration decimates the local recycling industry because they need to keep those furnaces burning 24/7,” Mr Dodrill said.
“So what they will do is take waste from anywhere and everywhere to keep it happening.
“It’s actually generating demand for more waste, which is what we are trying to get away from.”
‘We are continuing to suffer’
Geoff Yarham, the group’s secretary, said he’s concerned about how the Queensland Government could ensure an incinerator complied to environmental standards.
“Two years ago the State Government put in the odour abatement task force. It cost $3 million of your and my money and to date, they haven’t stopped any of the odours in the Ipswich area.
“We are continuing to suffer. We have no faith in them

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