Cessnock City Council adopted a policy in 1999 that it would not accept Sydney Waste in the local government area, after it knocked back a proposed “mega dump” of Sydney garbage.

Council notes the policy in its submission to the Department of Planning and Environment regarding the installation and operation of thermal processing equipment at the medical waste disposal facility.

Proposed for the Weston Aluminium site on Mitchell Avenue, the facility is expected to process up to 8000 tonnes of general, hazardous and other types of waste every year.

Cessnock Council is not the consent authority for the proposal, as it is a State Significant Development.

The Department of Planning has approved two applications to modify relevant approvals on the Mitchell Avenue site. The council submission says these approvals are also contrary to its Sydney Waste Policy.

The council’s submission does not object the proposal, but does raise a number of recommendations regarding air quality, human health, contamination, community engagement, flooding, trade waste, car parking, vehicular access, stormwater and crime prevention.

In the submission’s comments, it is noted that Cessnock Council is “supportive of development that does not harm the environment or the local community but contributes to the stimulation of the local economy, particularly where development generates employment opportunities”.

The proponent has indicated a capital investment value of $3 million and that up to eight employees will be retained on site.

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