Waste to Energy plant P Hed

Smokescreen Obscuring Waste Issues in the Pilbara

Thursday 11 April 2013

Greens WA spokesperson on Waste Management and Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, Robin Chapple MLC, today expressed reservations about the announcement of a Waste-to-Energy plant for Port Hedland.

“It’s good to see industry and government, led by the Greens and the wider community, finally focusing on the pressing issue of waste management in the Pilbara,” Mr Chapple said.

“What’s missing here is an overarching strategy that incorporates the bigger picture.

“Once again, we are seeing the result of the government’s failure to plan – resource projects are rushed on-stream without due account for the ensuing environmental problems,” Mr Chapple continued.

“Instead of running around now, wondering what to do with the massive amounts of old tyres, conveyor belts and the like, their proper end-of-life treatment should be built in to the assessments and approvals process.

“This lack of planning by the government is demonstrated time and again – in issues ranging from toxic abandoned mine sites to the unfettered growth in WA’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s symptomatic of our failure to heed the Reuse, Recycle, Recover message that these waste management issues just keep bobbing up – whether it’s inappropriately placed landfill sites or their uncontrolled methane emissions.

“Waste-to-Energy should be a last resort in energy generation as there are significant accompanying problems such as the emission of noxious fumes and nanoparticles, as well as noise and water use issues,” Mr Chapple warned.

Greens WA Beyond Waste 2013 policy: http://wa.greens.org.au/policies/beyond-waste

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