‘Disappointing’
The feeling echoes across the city following the Planning and Environment Court’s decision to not grant an interim restraint order against NuGrow Ipswich last week.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding spoke to Local Ipswich News following the decision.
“It is really disappointing for our community, that the Planning and Environment Court have denied the application against NuGrow to make interim orders to limit odour causing activities,” Harding said.
Despite the decision, a hearing for final orders against the company will now take place beginning on May 20, including discussions on an in-vessel system to be constructed at the site to enclose the composting operations.
Ipswich Lockyer Greens Spokesperson Danielle Mutton commented on the continuing issues with NuGrow.
“Clearly the Court has given more weight to the potential financial impacts on NuGrow over the health impacts on the community,” Ms Mutton said.
“We had the State Government petition that had nearly 2,500 Queenslanders sign and that had clear solutions that we wanted the State Government to meet.”
Despite the comments from Local State Members expressing disappointment on the announcement, Ms Mutton is calling them out for their inaction on the issue.
“They haven’t been advocating for the community and for all of the ALP State MP’s it’s simply a box ticking exercise,” she said.
“Where is our health inquiry into the impacts of the waste industry on residents in the Ipswich region?
“In the response we did receive from the Government they are still saying no to a panel of inquiry into the health impacts of the waste industry on residents and that is really concerning.
“They’re saying no because they’re too scared about what an inquiry would find and that is not in their best interest…”
