Page 325 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 February 2018
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(2) Given Sweden recycles nearly 100 percent of their household waste and heavy metal emissions have been reduced by 99 percent since 1985 even though they burn three times more waste today than in 1985, why has the Minister ruled out any consideration of such technology.
(3) What other overseas countries use incineration of waste to generate energy.
Mr Rattenbury: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The planning and land authority has advised me that an application was previously submitted for a materials recovery facility and waste to energy facility in Fyshwick. The proponent has now submitted a new application for a materials recovery facility only. The planning and land authority is currently preparing a scoping document for the proposal, hence, assessment of the application has not yet commenced. If a subsequent application for a waste to energy facility is lodged, consideration will be given to how similar proposals operate as part of the assessment process.
(2) The ACT Government operates according to the principles of the waste hierarchy, where the highest value use of materials is prioritised. Incineration of materials for energy generation does not necessarily constitute the highest value use of materials. Material recycling is a higher value use, as is biological processing of organic materials. Both of these options present a more favourable environmental outcome than incineration of waste for energy capture.
This is particularly true in the ACT where the use of electricity from the incineration of non-biomass materials (e.g. plastics) would increase the emissions intensity of our electricity supply. The emissions intensity of electricity from the incineration of non-biomass materials is roughly equivalent to that of electricity from coal-fired power stations.
Achieving a high resource recovery rate is not the only consideration in making decisions on waste management. We need to take a holistic approach to waste management which considers broader economic, social and environmental impacts of treatment options, including greenhouse gas emissions. It is important that resource recovery outcomes are balanced with emission reduction outcomes and consider whole of life impacts.
(3) The recovery of energy from waste by way of incineration is used in a range of countries across the world. There is a concentration of waste incineration plants in the countries of the European Union and Asia.
Roads—Barton Highway roundabout
(Question No 861)
Mr Coe asked the Minister for Transport and City Services, upon notice, on 1 December 2017:
(1) How many traffic incidents (crashes) have been recorded at the Barton Highway/ Gundaroo Drive/ William Slim Drive roundabout in (a) the period from 20 December 2016, when the traffic signals at this intersection became operational, to 30 June 2017, (b) the full financial year of 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18 to date.
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