Gippsland’s six local government areas have been urged to back a plan which will convert municipal waste into energy and secure jobs at the Maryvale Mill near Traralgon.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, State Member for Morwell Martin Cameron and State Member for the Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath have written an open letter to local Mayor, seeking their support for the ambitious project.
Mr Chester secured a $48.2 million Federal Government grant for the $600 million project which is forecast to create 220 new jobs for Gippsland, and 500 jobs across Victoria during construction.
“It’s an exciting project that takes waste which could otherwise end up in landfill and creates energy to support the ongoing operations of the Maryvale Paper Mill which currently relies on gas for its needs,” Mr Chester said.
“This is a better environmental solution than burying the municipal waste in landfill and the technology has been proven throughout the world.
“We need local Councils to show their support by signing up to provide a waste stream and ratepayers will benefit with lower costs compared to landfill.”
Mr Cameron said it was a critical project after recent bad news impacting jobs at the mill.
“The loss of jobs associated with white copy production has been devastating for impacted families and this project has the potential to provide long-term opportunities and underpin the future of the mill,” Mr Cameron said.
“It provides a solution for 325,000 tonnes per year of non-recyclable waste and I’m hopeful that all local Councils will get on board and support local jobs.
“Waste from Gippsland and the south-eastern suburbs will be required to bring the project to fruition and we need to fast-track this project.”
Ms Bath said Gippsland Councils had an opportunity to demonstrate their support for the Latrobe Valley by agreeing to divert waste from landfill to the energy-producing project.
“This is a world-class project that helps Councils solve their waste disposal problem and secure jobs at the mill,” Ms Bath said.
“We have written to all local Mayors because this is a project of significance to the broader Gippsland region and it will deliver long term social, economic and environmental benefits to Victoria.”
