Dumped by Narromine due to community opposition in February 2024 and now planned for Parkes the NSW Government’s controversial proposal for the development of an Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plant at the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (SAP) has had another setback. 

On Sunday 28 December Independent NSW Member for Orange Philip Donato MP publicly declared his position, announcing that Parkes is not the place for the project. 

“From the outset I publicly stated that if, after balanced and informed consideration, the Parkes community decided that they didn't want the proposed Energy-from-Waste facility in their backyard, then their wishes need to be respected by the State. 

“I also said that as their elected representative, I owed it to the community of the Parkes Shire to get all the facts and listen carefully. I’ve kept my word."

“Following the March 2025 announcement of the NSW Government’s Regional Growth Development Corporation (RGDC) preferred proponent to develop the Parkes Energy Recovery project - I have undertaken an exhaustive due diligence process. 

Mr Donato says he participated in many meetings involving NSW Government Ministers’ offices and their agencies, conducted thorough stakeholder and proponent engagement, delivered speeches and asked questions of the NSW Government on the floor of parliament, as well as travelling to Western Australia to tour an operating EfW plant and interview local stakeholders.

“Following my exhaustive investigation and thorough community consultation process, I have concluded that Parkes is not the right location for this project,” said Mr Donato. 

Judy Smith a vocal opponent of the project for her shire was elected to Narromine Shire Council on a wave of local fears about the odours from the waste and the transport of the debris from Sydney.  

Lachlan Shire councillors also voted to get more information on the effects it could have for their residents. 

Parkes was selected for an Energy from Waste facility by the NSW Government prior to 2021.

The initial SAP planning workshops in early 2019, attended by local and state governments, detailed plans for the facility.  

The NSW Government then called for expressions of intereste in 2020. 

Labor has since doubled down on the previous government's plans to send Sydney's waste into regional NSW under the 2025 Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan.  

The plan was released for public feedback in 2025 while the Energy from Waste Options Paper was still open for feedback.  

The plan assumed the Options Paper would be adopted without any amendments. 

Concept plan for the proposed Energy from Waste facility at Parkes. [IMAGE: Parkes Shire Council]

“I wish to thank the communities across the Parkes Shire Council who have patiently allowed me the time to do my due diligence before arriving to my conclusion on such an important issue," Mr Donato said.  

“My field research and Kwinana Energy Recovery site visit was an important conclusion to my research, solidifying my decision.  

"Located approximately 40km south of Perth, the Kwinana facility is situated in a heavily industrialised area which has been with a history of large-scale industries such as fuel refineries and aluminium smelters over the past 70 years. 

“Whilst I could not detect any unpleasant odours emanating from the Kwinana facility, it is located far from prime agricultural land, and it is partitioned from residential communities with an established buffer zone of more suitable topography.  

“It is clear that the Parkes community does not want this facility.  

"As I’ve always said, this project should not be forced on communities that do not want it."

“Back in 2021 when the NSW Nationals Liberal coalition government decided that the Parkes Special Activation Precinct was one of four regional locations they had chosen as an Energy-from-Waste Priority Infrastructure Area, they clearly did so without full and proper consideration,” said Mr Donato.  

The Orange MP has concerns about the logistical inefficiencies of this project, particularly the 350-kilometre transportation distance required to move waste from Sydney to the proposed Parkes waste incinerator. 

“It makes no sense to transport waste this far, particularly when the environmental cost of long-distance transportation is considered. Waste should be processed closer to where it is generated,” said Mr Donato. 

“Whilst I concede that this form of waste management may have its place, Parkes is not it. 

“Sydney has ample land that is already zoned for heavy industry; If this project cannot be based somewhere down there, then it shouldn’t be forced onto regional communities like ours.  

“I will not be supporting this project, and I will continue to stand with the people of Parkes to ensure their voices are heard by the government. 

“On resumption of parliament in the New Year, I will be communicating my stance on this proposal - directly with the NSW Government, and I’ll oppose any further planning of the project’s development at Parkes,” said Mr Donato.