Why it matters
Over the next 20 years, NSW waste volumes are forecast to grow to 27 million tonnes in 2041.
Without intervention, Greater Sydney’s landfill space is set to run out by 2030.
Energy from waste can help reduce the need for additional landfill capacity.
We have the opportunity now to review the framework to ensure we can safely manage our residual waste.
Energy from waste options paper
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has progressed a review of the energy from waste framework for the NSW Government and identified potential changes to the framework.
Our new paper outlines options and invites your views on them. Feedback on these potential changes will help the NSW Government to decide on any changes to the energy from waste framework.
We are seeking feedback on three key areas in this waste framework:
1. Changes to the precincts and associated risks
The paper outlines some changes to the locations where energy from waste facilities can be proposed and developed. This includes adding Tomago, located near Newcastle, as a new priority infrastructure area and adding the former Wallerawang Power Station to the already established West Lithgow Precinct. It is proposed that the Richmond Valley Jobs Precinct is no longer identified as a priority infrastructure area.
2. Changes to the definition of thermal treatment
Expanding the exclusions to allow certain types of waste to be thermally treated to produce new products or inputs to those products, not just for plastic.
Also, under consideration is expanding the exclusions to include processes that produce a clear environmental benefit, as defined by the criteria in the Regulation or guidelines.
3. Changes to the exception relating to powering industrial or manufacturing processes on site
Adjusting the exception under clause 144(4) of the Regulation to enable the EPA to consider and allow proposals to replace liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas with energy recovery from waste, on a case-by-case basis. This is to maximise the value of waste where it can be demonstrated that it is safe and environmentally sound.
Ways to have your say
Public consultation is now open until 8 April 2025.
The EPA understands that it’s important to get the settings right for the energy from waste framework so that we can enable this infrastructure and safely manage our residual waste in a more useful way than disposing of it in landfill.
After you have reviewed the options paper, you’re encouraged to provide feedback by responding to the questions below. The questions should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
If you would prefer to provide your feedback by email, please send it to energyfromwaste@epa.nsw.gov.au
Your privacy
Please note, your feedback may include ‘personal information,' including your name, address, email, internet protocol address and any other personal information contained in your feedback.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (the EPA) must comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Visit the EPA’s privacy page and the Privacy Policy for further information on its online consultation platform.
The EPA may publish all or part of your feedback on its website, on its online consultation platform or in a consultation report. In providing us with your feedback, you consent to the EPA publishing all or part of your submission. If you would like all or part of your feedback to be withheld from publication, please let us know when making your feedback.
If you send us an email, we will record your email for the purpose of responding to you.
All information held by the EPA is subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
