Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) will hold a community conference at Bannockburn to discuss the proposal from Advanced Composting Technologies of Australasia Pty Ltd (ACTA) for a static pile composting plant.
The proposed plant would receive and process 50,000 cubic metres of organic waste a year into compost.
Since the company applied for EPA Works Approval in April, EPA has received 35 public submissions and one petition. Golden Plains Shire Council, which is considering a separate planning permission application, has received a further 11 submissions. The submissions received by EPA are available on the Engage Victoria website at https://engage.vic.gov.au/epa-works-approvals/advanced-composting-technologies-australasia-wa.
EPA has also issued ACTA with a formal request for additional information, under Section 22 of the Environment Protection Act.
The purpose of the independently chaired Community Conference is:
- for EPA and Golden Plains Shire Council to gain a better understanding of community concerns and issues that need to be considered;
- to inform the public on the Works Approval and planning permission applications, the assessment process and their current statuses; and
- to identify potential resolutions for any issues in the application
EPA has also organised an optional drop-in session, where the community can ask ACTA questions about the proposal and EPA questions about the works approval application process. The drop-in session will run for 40 minutes before the Community Conference.
The proposed facility
Advanced Composting Technologies of Australasia Pty Ltd (ACTA) has applied for an EPA Works Approval for a static pile composting facility to be built at 607 Shelford-Bannockburn Road, Bannockburn.
The proposed facility would accept up to 50,000 cubic metres of waste each year, including: poultry manure, hatchery waste, grease trap waste and abattoir waste, for processing into 36,400 cubic metres of pasteurised compost.
The static pile process uses an activator product and does not involve any turning of the compost once it is formed into a pile.
EPA’s request for additional information
EPA has prepared a formal request for additional information from ACTA under Section 22 of the Environment Protection Act. The request and ACTA’s reply will be posted on the Engage Victoria website, at: https://engage.vic.gov.au/epa-works-approvals/advanced-composting-technologies-australasia-wa
Having reviewed the submissions received from the public, EPA has requested that ACTA provide:
- a response to all submissions, including the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) comments
- a demonstration of how the facility would meet State Government requirements for the management and storage of combustible recyclable and waste materials
- a detailed Biosecurity Risk Assessment and Biosecurity Management Plan
- a detailed assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGE)
- maps illustrating the full extent of odour emissions
- further details of the systems to be used to control waste feedstocks on-site
- plans for managing environmental risks during any shutdown of operations
- detailed operational procedures
- a detailed Odour Management and Monitoring Plan
The Community Conference’s independent chairperson will prepare a report summarising the discussions and concerns raised, and make recommendations for consideration by EPA, the Council and the applicant. The conference report will be published on the Engage Victoria website.
Under the EP Act, all views raised in the submissions and any recommendations directed to EPA in the report must be considered in EPA’s decision making on the Works Approval application.
The conference agenda will be sent to submitters and published on the Engage Victoria website. As a joint consultation process undertaken by EPA and the Council, the conference will also include consideration of key planning issues.
Attending the conference
Registration by 11 June is essential. You can register by calling 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or emailing works.approvals@epa.vic.gov.au
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2019
Venue: Barwon Room, Bannockburn Cultural Centre, 24 High St, Bannockburn 3331
Time: Drop-in information session 6 pm, Community Conference 6:45 to 9 pm
RSVP by: Tuesday 11 June 2019
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
How a Community Conference works
Section 20B of the Environment Protection Act 1970 allows EPA to convene a conference of interested parties to provide input to its decision making, usually on a permit process such as a Works Approval.
EPA convenes the 20B conference so it can better understand community concerns in detail and seek to identify potential resolutions to concerns.
The conference is facilitated by an independent chair. While each conference may be slightly different, the usual conference format allows community members to hear updates on the proposal from the applicant and EPA, and then to discuss the application and possible resolution of concerns in small groups.
The independent chair then produces a report on behalf of the conference, and may make recommendations which EPA must take into consideration when making its decision.
Details of a 20B conference are usually posted on www.engage.vic.gov.au where the public can see all relevant documents including the application, submissions, and the independent chair’s final report to EPA.
How a Works Approval works
If granted, an EPA Works Approval specifies conditions under which any proposed plant can be constructed. Operation of the plant would also require an EPA licence. EPA will only issue a Works Approval if it is confident that the proposal adequately minimises any risks of harm to the environment and public health, and fully complies with the EP Act, relevant regulations, policies and guidelines.
Works Approvals are required under the EP Act for industrial and waste management activities that have the potential for significant environmental impact. The approval permits the construction of a plant, the installation of equipment or modification of processes.
A Works Approval may also be required when the occupier of an existing licensed premises seeks to increase or alter the emissions or type of wastes that their premises handle.
The ACTA project requires EPA Works Approval and must also receive planning permission from Golden Plains Shire Council for it to be able to proceed.
There is more information, including a copy of the Works Approval application, at:
https://engage.vic.gov.au/epa-works-approvals/advanced-composting-technologies-australasia-wa
For further information on the Works Approval application process, call 1300 EPA VIC (372 842) or visit: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/guidelines/licensing-and-works-approvals/works-approvals-needed
Ends…