Advanced Composting Technologies Australasia

Bannockburn Composting Facility

Works Approval Application s20B Public Conference

Environment Protection Authority

Jen LilburnIndependent Conference

Chair

Stephen AdamthwaiteManager

Development Assessment

EPA Victoria

Welcome

Acknowledgement of country

Agenda

Our conduct tonight

• Let’s hear from everyone rather than individuals dominating.

• Not everyone will agree, yet all views are valid. There are no right or wrong answers.

• Don’t waste time or this opportunity by trying to convince others that you are right.

• Make sure what’s important gets written down, including the diversity of viewpoints.

• Constructive feedback is welcome. Please be respectful.

• Opportunity for the EPA and GPSC to listen and gain a better understanding of community concerns and issues that need to be considered

• Help explain the works approval and planning permission applications, the assessment process and their current statuses

• To identify potential resolutions for any issues in the applications

Purpose

Overview of the Proposals

Works Approval Assessment process (1)

• EPA determined to accept applicationApplication received

• Newspapers (state and local) and online advertising

• Referrals to relevant agenciesReferrals and advertising

• 20B conference where this may assist in just resolution of the matterReview of submissions

• Consider submissions and 20B conference

• Input from EPA technical expertsFinalise technical assessment

• Approval granted / refusedDecision

• VCAT – Applicant or affected third parties may apply to appeal decisionAppeal provisions

• Formal Request under s22 of the Act served on 30 May 2019. Sought information on– Responses to the submissions received

– Further information requested• a thorough and detailed response which satisfies the issues raised in the CFA's referral response

• details of how the proposed facility will comply with policy and guideline requirements

• a detailed biosecurity risk assessment and biosecurity management plan

• a detailed assessment of greenhouse gas emissions

• amended maps illustrating the full extent of the odour emissions

• further details of management controls for the waste feedstocks

• detailed operational procedures

• a detailed odour management and monitoring plan

• ACTA are in the process of responding to this notice

Works Approval Assessment process (2)

Planning Application P19-081

The Use and Development of the land for Industry (Composting Facility).

607 Bannockburn-Shelford Road, Bannockburn.

Purposes of the Planning Scheme

• To provide a clear and consistent framework within which decisions about the use and development of land can be made.

• To express state, regional, local and community expectations for areas and land uses.

• To provide for the implementation of State, regional and local policies affecting land use and development.

Zoning

• The site is zoned Farming Zone;

• There are no overlays applying to the land;

• Access to the site will be froma Road Zone Category 1

History of the Site

• Planning permit P14-007 was issued in 2014 for the use and development of the land for composting;

• EPA Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) approval issued by the EPA 8 March 2016.

• The composting facility commenced under the RD&D authority;

• The composting facility was carried out for a period of time until the RD&D has been completed;

• Once the RD&D was completed part of the expiry condition of the planning permit required that the owner/operator apply for a new planning permit to continue the use and development of the composting facility.

Advertising

•The application was advertised to adjoining and surrounding land owners and occupiers within 2km of the site;

•A total of 41 submissions/objections have been received to date.

Referrals

• The application was referred to a number of external authorities and internal departments for their consideration, comments and requirements relating to this application. The application was referred to:

•Environment Protection Authority•Corangamite Catchment Management Authority•VicRoads•Council’s Natural Resources Department•Council’s Works Department

What Council will consider?• Zoning of the land:

–Seeks to determine whether the use is appropriate for the land.

• Relevant Planning Policy.

• Particular provision for uses with adverse amenity potential:–Seeks to define those types of industries which if not appropriately designed

and located may cause offence or unacceptable risk to the neighbourhood.

• Objections.

• EPA publication for designing, constructing and operating composting facilitates:–Provides advice on the design, construction and management of composting

facilitates in a manner that protects human health and the environment.

Council’s Decision• Following on from this session Council Officers will prepare a Council report to be presented

at a Council Meeting;

• The report will contain: –an outline of the proposal;

–details of the referrals and the responses;

–a summary of all submissions/objections (a copy of all submissions received are provided to the Councillors);

–An assessment against the Planning Scheme;

–Discussion of the proposal;

–A conclusion and recommendation to the proposal.

• The applicant and all submitters are invited to attend the meeting, and are invited to register to speak/provide a short presentation to the Councillors on the night;

• The Councillors will then decide on the application.

Response to the Further Information Requests

Review of submissions received by the EPA (1)

36

Total number of

submissions from

the community

Review of submissions received by the EPA (2)

Review of submissions received by the EPA (3)

Review of submissions received by the EPA (4)

Discussion Topic Themes

Theme 1: Odour & Air Emissions

Theme 2: Biosecurity, Pests & Vermin

Theme 3: Composting Process, Site Controls & Environmental Management Plan, Proponents Track Record

Theme 4: Wastewater and Impacts on Water Resources

Theme 5: Human Health & Well-being

Theme 6: Traffic, Roads & Safety

Theme 7: Site Selection & Land Use Zoning

Theme 8: Community & Socio-economics

Theme 9: Other (Visual & Landscape, Wildlife & Natural Environment)

Powers Table

Please note that the list excludes issues which sit outsidethe scope of consideration of the EPA such as:

• Aboriginal & Cultural Heritage;

• Ecology (flora & fauna);

• Highways;

• Landscape & Visual Impact;

• Land Use Zoning;

• Planning;

• Native Title;

• Road Safety;

• Site Selection; and

• Traffic

which are considered in the planning system or other regulatory regimes administered by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Golden Plains Shire Council and VicRoads.

KEY ISSUE RELEVANT RESPONSIBLE AGENCY & REFERRAL AUTHORITY

ACTA’s EPA licence compliance track record EPA

All air emissions from the facility including, bioaerosols, dust and odour EPA

All discharges from the facility (other thanlighting

emissions), including land, noise, ground and surface water

•EPA

•Corangamite Catchment Management Authority

•Barwon Water

Assessment of Environmental Best Practice Plant design, process and operation

EPA

Biosecurity from waste feedstocks and compost product (potential impacts to humans, crops and livestock)

•Agriculture Victoria

•EPA

Climate Change Resilience & Adaptation EPA

Compliance with the EP Act, relevant state environment protection policies, Regulations and guidelines

EPA

Energy and Greenhouse Gas emissions EPA

Environmental management, monitoring and reporting (including commissioning, non-routine operations and emergency)

EPA

Environmental Acceptability of Compost Product EPA

Fire Risk to and from the composting operation and compliance with CFA emergency requirements

•Country Fire Authority

•EPA

Incoming waste feedstock (acceptance, management of, types & quantities)

EPA

Noise EPA

Resource Usage EPA

Sustainability – social, economic and environmental EPA

Theme Tables per RoundRound 1 Round 2 Round 3

Table 1 1. Odour & Air Emissions 1. Odour & Air Emissions 1. Odour & Air Emissions

Table 2 5. Human Health & Well-being5. Human Health & Well-

being5. Human Health & Well-

being

Table 3

3. Composting Process, Site Controls and Environmental

Management Plan, Proponents Track Record

4. Wastewater and Impacts on Water Resources

2. Biosecurity, Pests & Vermin

Table 4 6. Traffic, Roads & Safety 6. Traffic, Roads & Safety8. Community, Socio-

economics

Table 57. Site Selection & Land

Zoning

9. Other (Landscape & Visual, Wildlife & Natural

Environment)

9. Other (Landscape & Visual, Wildlife & Natural

Environment)

“Snapshot” report back from discussion rounds

Final opportunity to restate/state concerns

Works Approval next steps

1

• Once received and accepted further information will be made publicly available and made open for comment.

• The s. 20B Community Conference Report and recommendations will be considered.

2

• Completion of Technical Assessment:

• Compliance against legislation

• Analysis of key issues to determine likelihood of pollution and hazard occurring

3• Once decision made to approve or refuse: Notification to submitters and publication of

Assessment Report

Closing comments