NSW Government seeks public input on Energy from Waste Framework changes
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is reviewing the state’s energy from waste framework and is seeking public feedback on proposed changes, including new priority infrastructure locations, updated definitions, and adjusted regulatory exceptions.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is inviting public feedback on proposed changes to the state’s energy from waste framework. The review is assessing whether the current system can effectively manage increasing waste volumes and support NSW’s waste and resource recovery goals.
Why the Review is Needed
Waste volumes in NSW are expected to reach 27 million tonnes annually by 2041. Without intervention, landfill capacity in Greater Sydney could be exhausted by 2030. The energy from waste process, which converts residual waste into heat, electricity, or fuels, is being considered as one way to reduce reliance on landfill while managing waste safely.
The NSW Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan included a commitment to assess whether additional capacity is needed by 2025. The review aims to determine whether current regulations remain suitable and ensure energy from waste facilities are located in appropriate areas to optimise waste management and energy recovery.
Key Proposed Changes
The EPA has identified three main areas for potential updates:
- Changes to priority infrastructure locations
- Tomago, near Newcastle, is proposed as a new priority area.
- The former Wallerawang Power Station would be added to the existing West Lithgow Precinct.
- The Richmond Valley Jobs Precinct would no longer be designated as a priority location.
- Updating the definition of thermal treatment
- Expanding exclusions to allow more types of waste to be thermally treated for new products, beyond plastics.
- Considering processes that provide clear environmental benefits, as outlined in regulations or guidelines.
- Adjustments to exceptions for onsite industrial energy use
- Proposed changes to clause 144(4) of the Regulation would allow the EPA to consider proposals for replacing liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas with energy recovered from waste. Decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis to ensure safety and environmental soundness.
How to Have Your Say
Public consultation is open until 8 April 2025. The EPA is encouraging individuals and organisations to review the options paper and provide feedback through an online survey or by email.
The EPA understands that it’s important to get the settings right for the energy from waste framework so that they can enable this infrastructure and safely manage residual waste in a more useful way than disposing of it in landfill. Submissions will help inform the final recommendations to the NSW Government on potential changes to the energy from waste framework.
Feedback can be submitted via:
- Online survey (estimated completion time: 10 minutes)
- Email submission to energyfromwaste@epa.nsw.gov.au
