Why are four towns in NSW receiving Sydney's rubbish?

Four towns in NSW have been selected to host incinerators for Sydney's excess waste because landfills across Sydney are rapidly approaching their capacity, with some expected to be full by 2030.

What are the main concerns of the NSW towns receiving Sydney's waste?

The main concerns of the NSW towns receiving Sydney's waste include potential health problems from incinerator emissions and environmental impacts, such as soil contamination, with residents questioning the safety of waste disposal in their areas.

What is the projected timeframe for Sydney's landfills reaching capacity?

Landfills in Sydney, including those at Lucas Heights, Eastern Creek, and Erskine Park, are forecast to reach their capacity by 2030, necessitating urgent solutions for waste management.

Home / Environment / Sydney's Rubbish Heads to NSW Towns: Outrage Brews

Sydney's Rubbish Heads to NSW Towns: Outrage Brews

28 Jan

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Summary

Four NSW towns selected to host incinerators for Sydney's excess waste.
Landfills near Sydney are projected to reach capacity by 2030.
Local communities express outrage, citing health and environmental concerns.

Sydney's Rubbish Heads to NSW Towns: Outrage Brews

Four towns in New South Wales are slated to become destinations for Sydney's increasing volume of rubbish, as the metropolitan area's landfills are nearing their capacity. These selected towns will house incinerators designed to burn excess waste from Sydney, converting it into energy.

Landfills situated in Lucas Heights, Eastern Creek, and Erskine Park are all forecasted to reach their maximum capacity by the year 2030. The priority infrastructure areas chosen to manage this excess waste include West Lithgow, Parkes, Richmond Valley, and Southern Goulburn Mulwaree. These sites were identified due to their proximity to Greater Sydney, regional NSW, and the Inland Rail network.

The NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has emphasized the critical need for immediate action to manage waste levels effectively. Without new waste solutions, landfill capacity is predicted to be exhausted within the next decade, significantly increasing waste management costs for households and businesses. This situation could exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and impede crucial infrastructure development, such as housing.