Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council | Constituency Questions
20 November 2025
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan Region):
My question is for the Minister for Planning. On Sunday I spoke with many constituents at the first meeting of the community campaign against the proposed Sunbury waste incinerator.
St Anne’s parish hall was packed to the rafters, with standing room only as hundreds attended to learn what this monstrosity means for their beautiful town.
We heard from concerned locals as well as Jane Bremmer from Toxics Free Australia, who challenged claims made by the waste-to-energy industry.
Many locals are rightly worried that their town will yet again be a dumping ground as a cheap way to reduce waste rather than considering appropriate alternatives.
My constituents ask: will the minister provide assurances that no applications for the incinerator will be considered until the Economy and Infrastructure Committee has tabled its final report on waste-to-energy infrastructure?
Written Answer
Received: 09 December 2025
Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP
(Attorney-General, Minister for Planning)
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for his question.
I understand the community holds concerns about the proposed waste-to-energy facility in Sunbury. I am advised by the Department of Transport and Planning that an application has not yet been submitted for the proposed facility. If an application for this project is submitted, I encourage all potentially affected community members to engage in the planning process and make their views on the proposal known.
If a planning permit application is submitted to me as the responsible authority, I will be required to consider and determine the application in line with the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. This assessment process would include referral to relevant government authorities, consultation with Hume City Council, public notice and opportunity for public submissions. Key elements of the assessment would consider relevant state and local policies contained in the Hume Planning Scheme together with environmental, economic, social and relevant technical considerations.
In addition to requirements under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the proposal would also require approval of a development licence under the Environment Protection Act 2017 from the Environment Protection Authority. Development licence applications primarily include scientific assessment of potential risks to human health and the environment from matters such as pollution, waste, air quality and odour.
[ENDS]
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