Farmers turn to peak body to help stop incinerator project

Parkes farmers are taking the fight against an Energy from Waste facility that's been proposed to be built in their shire to the NSW Farmers Annual State Conference this month. The Parkes and Forbes branch of NSW Farmers is turning to its peak body for support and, after meeting with local farmers, has put forward a motion to advocate for its members against the proposal that will be voted on at the conference on 22-23 July. NSW Farmers has confirmed its head office in Sydney has received the motion and has been accepted to be added to the agenda. Plans to burn 600,000 tonnes of Sydney's rubbish each year in a facility in Parkes to produce electricity, heat and steam and to help divert waste away from landfills, were officially released in March by appointed developers Parkes Energy Recovery. Days later it saw the formation of the Parkes Clean Future Alliance (PCFA), whose membership includes multigenerational farmers, among other professionals and business owners. The development is proposed to be located on NSW Government land, within the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (SAP), about four kilometres west of the township. NSW Farmers Parkes and Forbes branch vice chair Gavin Tom said this motion was different from the association's current policy which rejects an Energy from Waste facility if it can't prove it is safe for the land and communities around it. He said there are farmers in the Parkes Shire who are straight-out against the development entirely and are feeling scared and angry. "There are farmers with families who are scared this could effect their livelihoods and the future of their land," Mr Tom said. "Especially the ones neighbouring the SAP. "There are some farmers in Forbes too who are scared." Mr Tom admitted there were more farmers at the meeting against the incinerator than he first thought. "I and some others were surprised there wasn't more people of the view of let's see the fine print and the evidence, is there truly a risk or not?" He said. "Speaking personally I am concerned for the future of the SAP and other developments that this may make them feel unwelcomed. "Because the branch voted overwhelmingly to ban the incinerator, as a representative of the Parkes and Forbes branch, on duty bounds I will represent them and the motion at the conference even though I don't 100 per cent agree with it." Mr Tom is fairly confident the motion will pass at the state conference. Parkes farmers and retirees were the biggest groups represented in an early survey who say they will take the precautionary step and move away from the town if the proposed incinerator is approved. PCFA conducted the survey shortly after the Energy from Waste announcement to gain a greater understanding of the community's feelings and knowledge on the project. The group formed to represent and advocate for those against the proposal, and are actively raising concerns and researching the impacts and risks such a facility could have on human health, the environment and Parkes' food and agriculture industries. Representatives from the group attended the NSW Farmers branch meeting with farmers. The survey revealed that of the 420 participants, 65 farmers and 65 retirees, 48 health and aged care workers, 46 educators and 38 in retail and hospitality, many with families, all indicated they would leave town if the incinerator was built. PCFA has also been running a series of videos on its social media pages speaking with Parkes farmers to hear how the proposed Energy from Waste incinerator could impact their land, their market access, and their future. Parkes Energy Recovery is now seeking strict licensing and environment approvals and finalising its commercial and technical details. If the development goes ahead, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the facility operating by 2030.

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