Accusations are flying ahead of a court hearing over plans to build a plastic recycling factory at Moss Vale, in the New South Wales Southern Highlands.
Earlier this year the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) rejected RePoly, formerly Plasrefine’s, state-government backed project.
The IPC’s decision is now being appealed in the Land and Environment Court.
In its first statement to the ABC since the project was proposed five years ago, the RePoly said it was the target of fearmongering.
“Unfortunately, a small group has been spreading misinformation and creating unnecessary fear among local residents,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“This has misled the public and caused reputational harm to our company.
“However, we are encouraged that many residents now understand the facts and have expressed support for the project.”
The statement described the project as “entirely reasonable, lawful, and compliant with all relevant planning requirements”.
RePoly is proposing to build a plastic recycling factory at this site in Moss Vale. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
Four respondents have signed onto the case: the IPC, the Garvan Institute (which operates a medical research facility on land that borders the site), and two community members — councillor Rachel Russell and Southern Highlands Matters (SHM) chair Sam Wood.
The SHM community group was the target of criticism in RePoly’s statement.
It has responded with a statement rejecting the suggestion it has spread any misinformation.
“We are committed to a fact-based engagement with the community, allowing residents to fully understand for themselves the complete set of risks to health, amenity, and environment that RePoly threatens,” it said.
Locals gathered to protest RePoly – then Plasrefine – when it launched its appeal earlier this year. (ABC Illawarra: Mikayla McGuirk-Scolaro)
Campaign launch
On Wednesday, SHM’s “Reject RePoly” campaign launch and fundraising drive was attended by 60 people.
Southern Highlands Matters chair Sam Woods is one of the four respondents in the appeal. (Supplied: Sam Wood)
Ms Wood said she was representing SHM and the community in the appeal and hoped to raise awareness of the process.
“I really do think there’s strong opposition, but we’re still in the process of getting the word out there about the Land and Environment appeal,” she said.
“It’s a very different process than the community went through with the IPC meetings, so I think they’re still understanding what that means.”
Ms Wood said she was pleased the Garvan Institute had been granted permission to join the proceedings.
“I am delighted,” she said.
“As far as I’m concerned there are great respondents in the case — the more the merrier.”
The community group launched a renewed opposition campaign this week. (ABC Illawarra: Mikayla McGuirk-Scolaro)
The Garvan Institute’s Moss Vale facility, known by locals as the “mouse house”, breeds genetically modified mice for medical research.
Its lawyers warned that construction noise, vibrations, and emissions could cause catastrophic losses.
The appeal will involve a hearing at the proposed factory site later this month, when the court will inspect the location and consider evidence on the project’s potential impacts.