Report by Alan James
Sunbury residents delivered a decisive message to the Victorian Government at the weekend during a public meeting that drew a large crowd, opposing the proposed HiQ waste-to-energy incinerator planned for the Sunbury-Bulla corridor.
Held at St Anne’s Church Hall on Sunday 16 November, the meeting attracted an estimated 300–400 people, filling the venue with middle-aged families, long-time locals, and newer residents seeking clarity on the project’s implications. Organisers described the turnout as “the largest and most energised to date.”
Speakers included Jane Bremmer from Toxics Free Australia, Charles Street of the Say NO to Lara Big Incinerator campaign, and David Ettershank MP. Each provided a detailed analysis of the environmental, health, and policy dimensions of large-scale waste-to-energy plants, drawing parallels with similar proposals in other parts of Victoria.
A well-informed and at times pointed Q&A session followed, with residents pressing for transparency, regulatory oversight, and a clearer explanation of how the proposed plant aligns with Victoria’s broader waste-management strategy.
Organisers reported collecting “hundreds of additional signatures” for petitions opposing the project, noting that community membership and engagement “continue to grow at pace”.
“We came together as a community and showed HiQ and our government where we stand,” one organiser said. “This is just the beginning. We will not stop. We will not be quiet. And we say NO.”
Council perspective
Hume councillor (Jacksons Hill Ward) and former mayor Jarrod Bell spoke during the Q&A session, reiterating that the campaign’s strength must come from local residents themselves. His position aligns with the joint statement he and Cllr Kate Hamley released amid rising community concern.
Their statement, published on 26 August 2025, said: “At this time, Hume City Council does not have a formal position on waste-to-energy in our community.”
Cllr Bell reiterated at Sunday’s meeting that while the council’s formal stance remains under development, councillors are listening closely to resident feedback and preparing motions for upcoming council discussions.
The ‘circular economy’ question
One topic that surfaced repeatedly, yet remains insufficiently explored in official communications, is how the proposed incinerator fits within the Victorian Government’s circular economy framework.
The policy defines a circular economy as one where “waste avoidance, waste reduction, material reuse and recycling” are prioritised. Under this hierarchy, thermal waste-to-energy is positioned as a last-resort option for unavoidable residual waste.
Critics at the meeting argued that large-scale incineration risks undermining this hierarchy, potentially incentivising “burn-first” approaches rather than supporting recycling and waste-avoidance efforts.
As planning, licensing, and environmental assessments continue, many residents expressed concern that the project may be at odds with the very principles the circular economy policy is intended to uphold.
With turnout numbers rising, petitions expanding, and further meetings planned, the community signalled that its campaign is far from over.
For many who gathered on Sunday, the message was simple: No incinerator for Sunbury, and no decisions made without a fully informed and engaged community. The long-term health, well-being, and security of residents must take precedence over commodity-driven projects.
See all our reports on the WtE proposal here and MP says ‘no’ to incinerator
AJ James – writer / media producer – long term Sunbury resident