Opportunity or Concern for the Community?
A new chapter in the future of waste management and energy production is unfolding in the Central West, with Wallerawang now included in the NSW Government’s revised energy-from-waste (EfW) framework. The recently released NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) options paper proposes that the former Wallerawang Power Station be designated as a priority infrastructure area for EfW facilities. This means the site could become a hub for processing residual waste and generating energy, helping to reduce landfill reliance.
The EPA’s review of its 2021 Energy from Waste Infrastructure Policy has opened the door for more regions to take part in the state’s waste and energy transition. Originally, only four areas—West Lithgow, Parkes, Goulburn, and Richmond Valley—were earmarked for potential EfW projects. Now, Wallerawang has been added to the West Lithgow precinct, bringing it into the conversation for future development.
The proposal aims to tackle two major challenges: managing the state’s growing waste problem and providing alternative energy sources as NSW moves away from coal-fired power. Supporters argue that the project could create jobs, repurpose a redundant industrial site, and establish a more sustainable waste solution.
However, this isn’t the first time Wallerawang has been in the spotlight for this type of project. In 2023, the proposal for an energy-from-waste facility in the region sparked significant opposition from local residents and environmental groups. Concerns ranged from air quality and health impacts to the long-term sustainability of burning waste for energy. Many worried about the potential for increased pollution, heavy truck movements, and whether an EfW plant would undermine efforts to improve recycling and waste reduction.
Community voices were loud and clear back then. Now, with a fresh review underway, residents will once again have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of Wallerawang and ensure their concerns are heard.
The current EPA consultation period, open until April 8, 2025, offers a chance for locals to provide feedback and push for solutions that work for both the economy and the environment. Unlike past debates, there is now greater emphasis on transparency, environmental safeguards, and community engagement. The EPA’s options paper outlines stricter emissions controls, technology standards, and potential regulations to ensure that any EfW facility operates responsibly.
For some, this represents a chance to reshape Wallerawang’s industrial legacy into something cleaner and future-focused. For others, it remains a battle to protect their community from unwanted development.
What happens next will depend on how strongly the community engages with this process. Whether you’re for or against the plan, now is the time to have your say.
To read the full options paper and submit feedback before April 8, visit yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au.
Image: Aerial view of Amager Bakke, also known as Amager Slope or Copenhill, a combined heat and power waste-to-energy plant and recreational facility in Amager, Copenhagen Denmark. Credit: Adobe Stock.
