In the lead up to Saturday’s election, members of Residents Against the Richmond Valley Incinerator (RARVI) have released a report on their interviews regarding energy-from-waste and other matters with the Richmond Valley Council mayoral candidates.
‘We would like to thank Lyndall Murray, Robert Mustow, Robert Hayes and John Walker for making the time to speak to us, and for their frank and thoughtful answers,’ said RARVI convenor, Dr Liz Stops.
‘We asked each candidate the same eight questions, which covered topics ranging from water supplies, the regional job precinct, waste minimisation, the potential return of coal seam gas and community engagement,’ she said.
‘Our initial intention had been to assemble and publish a scorecard to inform voters. However, due to the complexities of their responses, we are providing a general overview and summary of our impressions.’
RARVI’s prime concern is the potential for an Energy-from-Waste (EfW) incinerator to be built and operated at the Regional Job Precinct (RJP), which remains a real possibility due to a decision legislated by the previous NSW government.
Surprise
‘It surprised us that all mayoral candidates are now against an EfW at the RJP,’ said Dr Stops said.
‘Certainly, the mayor and current councillors who are standing for election were previously open to the possibility of an EfW, as demonstrated in our Community Strategic Plan.
‘We are very pleased that they have now reversed their views on this matter and have repeated their opposition to an EfW at all public meet-the-candidates forums,’ said Dr Stops.
‘However, Lyndall Murray was most emphatic about lobbying the state government to have the Richmond Valley RJP removed from the legislated list of sites where an incinerator is permissible. Her team is also the most pro-active in their ideas for providing alternative waste treatment solutions to reduce the need for landfill by treating waste as an income-generating resource.’
Dr Stops encouraged all voters to make an informed vote by reading RARVI’s summary and other sources of information of the candidates’ views on what they can achieve as part of the next Richmond Valley Council.
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