Community Voices Rise Against Wollert Incinerator

The group is making headlines in “The Age”. You can read the full article (free access), published on 3 September 2025, here: Residents cry foul over supersized bid to burn rubbish for energy

🚨 What’s Happening:

Cleanaway has withdrawn its original development application, but a new, expanded application is expected to be brought forward for the proposed Melbourne Energy & Resource Centre (MERC) at 510 Summerhill Road, Wollert.

Recycling Victoria has approved a cap licence to process up to 760,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste per year, doubling the original limit of 380,000 tonnes.

If built, MERC would process about 13% of Victoria’s landfill waste and generate power for around 140,000 homes, but at what cost? 

🚧 Why It Matters to Our Community:

The site is just less than 8 km from Al Siraat College, and even closer from homes in Donnybrook, Craigieburn, and Wollert, placing many schools, childcare and aged care centres, and families near this facility. 

There are 59 schools within a 10 km radius of the site, and concerns have been raised about toxic emissions, heavy truck traffic, visual and environmental impacts and property value decline. 

Local residents submitted 764 formal objections to the EPA, with over 99% opposing the project, and more than 6,000 people signed petitions.

🙌 How You Can Support:

• Attend future public meetings & advocacy forums: Strong attendance matters.
• Submit your views to the EPA and Victorian Government expressing your concerns and calling for a full Environmental Effects Statement.
• Share this information widely: Forward to neighbours, post in local networks, and talk to local MPs.
• Join community groups such as “No Northern Incinerator Wollert” to stay informed and united.

Our voices are powerful when we stand together.