December 8, 2023
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Summer rays shine
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Greater Geelong received a healthy dose of early summer weather at the beginning of this week. Temperatures pushed just past 30 degrees on Monday and at the Bureau of Meteorology weather station in Breakwater it was 31.9 degrees at 5pm. And while it was cooler on Tuesday, it was still warm with bright sunshine as the mercury got to 27.6 degrees just before 1pm before a sea breeze dropped the temperature down to the low 20s for the rest of the afternoon. Maximum temperatures stayed above 20 all week before a return to cooler weather predicted this weekend and anywhere from no rain to 20mm tomorrow (Saturday December 9). Lilian D’Arcy, Lily Tardrew, Makedde Rajic and Tegan Burt (pictured) from Ballarat visited Eastern Beach on Monday and soaked up the rays. ■ For more pictures at the waterfront,
see page 25.
Incinerator ignites anger By Matt Hewson The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved construction of the proposed waste incinerator at Lara despite significant community opposition. Prospect Hill International (PHI) has the green light to build a waste-to-energy facility, which would be nestled among residential and farming zones and within 5km of 20 schools and preschools. The facility, proposed to operate for 25 years, would generate nearly 36 megawatts of energy per year but would need to burn about 400,000 tonnes of waste, despite having secured no waste contracts. Community fears revolve around the health impacts of the facility’s emissions
and likelihood waste would need to be diverted to it rather than be managed in more environmentally friendly ways. PHI now awaits ministerial approval, the final regulatory hurdle for the facility. EPA’s Director of Permissioning and Development Con Lolis said EPA considered all input from community and stakeholders in its assessment of the development licence application. “This licence was granted with conditions because EPA has determined the proposed facility will meet the most stringent international standards and presents low and acceptable risk to human health and the environment,” Mr Lolis said. “EPA will continue to regulate the site throughout the design, construction and commissioning
phases to ensure the company meets all environmental performance requirements, keeps the community informed and complies with the conditions of the development licence. “If the company fails to do so, the project will cease because the requirements imposed by EPA in the development licence have not been met.” More than 2000 community members signed a petition in November objecting to the proposed facility, which Victorian Greens member for Western Victoria, Dr Sarah Mansfield, intends to table in parliament when it returns in February. “With the flick of a pen Labor could put an end to this disastrous project,” Dr Mansfield said. “It’s inevitable that these incinerators will end up burning recyclables, plastic and organic
waste because there is no commitment from these companies that they will separate the waste they receive.” Needing 400,000 tonnes of waste each year, the incinerator would likely require the City of Greater Geelong to provide a substantial amount of its waste to the facility. At last week’s council meeting, Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the City had no plans to incorporate the incinerator into its long-term waste management plans. “Our city has a comprehensive policy and future strategic plans around our landfill rubbish,” Mayor Sullivan said. “None of our planned rubbish strategy in the future involves any plans towards incineration. It’s not involved in our strategy and we don’t plan on including it.”
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GEELONG CBD Salon7 Hair & Beauty Westfield Geelong - near Big W; Cafe Savvy in the old ‘Thomas The Jeweller‘; GEELONG - WEST SIDE Vines Road Community Centre Hamlyn Heights; Mint by Michelle 403 Pakington St, Newtown - river end near; Manchester Imports Direct Bell Post Hill; GEELONG - NORTH SIDE Corio Village SC: Office of Ella George MP up escalators next to Kmart; Popcultcha Collector Gallery Federal Mills; Perry Demolition Corio; The Aviary Cafe Norlane; GEELONG - EAST SIDE & THE BELLARINE hayeswinckle East Geelong; Salon7 Hair & Beauty Gateway Plaza Leopold - opp Aldi; Bendigo Bank Community Bank Barwon Heads, Drysdale & Portarlington; Staple Eatery & Deli Portarlington; La Monique Perfumery & Candlery Point Lonsdale; Book Grove Ocean Grove; GEELONG - SOUTH SIDE Team Maclean Fitness Belmont; hayeswinckle Highton; Eye Gallery Highton; Salon7 Hair & Beauty Armstrong Creek SC; Office of Darren Cheeseman MP Armstrong Creek OTWAYS Bendigo Bank Community Bank Anglesea, Lorne, Winchelsea
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