The state government has been urged to investigate European technology that converts rubbish into energy to reduce the need for facilities such as the Ravenhall landfill.
In an interview with Star Weekly, Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz said an application to extend the Ravenhall tip , due before the end of the year, needed urgent attention.
“Our rubbish needs to go somewhere,” she said, adding she does not want dumping at Ravenhall extended.
Transpacific Cleanaway is expected to submit an application to extend the life of the tip later this year.
Eco-friendly electricity and heating is produced from waste in Denmark,
Power magazine reports. However, residual waste matter is either incinerated or sent to landfill.
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In Denmark, municipalities are responsible for the management of all waste.
Ms Kairouz said such technology should be investigated for application here.
“I’m starting to think about what they do in Europe, in Denmark,” she said. “You’ve got a palace five kilometres away from a [facility] where they convert waste to energy. I’m quite interested in that, though I don’t know much about it.
“It creates a lot of jobs and … they purchase rubbish from around the world and convert the waste into energy.”
Ms Kairouz said the idea of applying the Danish technology to Ravenhall had the support of residents. “Talking to some of the locals, they think it’s a good idea. I might start exploring it to see if we can go down that path.”
She said she had no idea when Transpacific would apply for an extension for its Ravenhall tip.
“When, I don’t know; hopefully, they won’t.”
A state government spokeswoman said the technology was a legitimate waste solution.
“Waste-to-energy technologies are an option for Victoria where it can be demonstrated [they] will deliver strong environmental, public health and economic outcomes,” the spokeswoman said.
