Residents expressed years of stress and fear during a recent Land and Environment Court hearing regarding RePoly's proposed plastics recycling plant in Moss Vale, New South Wales. Approximately 150 people attended the hearing on Sunday, enduring strong winds and chilly temperatures to voice their concerns. RePoly director Nancy Zheng observed the proceedings, which were led by Commissioner Joanne Gray.

The project gained significant attention in 2022 when Plasrefine, now known as RePoly, applied for State Significant Development status, transferring the decision-making authority from local councils to the state. The proposed recycling facility would occupy three hectares of a 7.7-hectare site and is designed to process up to 120,000 tonnes of plastic each year. Although the NSW Department of Planning recommended approval, the proposal faced over 2,900 unique objections, prompting a referral to the Independent Planning Commission.

The commission has defended its decision to reject the factory, selecting six local residents to testify at the hearing. Long-time resident Graham Hordern, visibly emotional, stated that the proposal had consumed five years of his life. "They have total disregard for community sentiment," he said, receiving loud applause from the audience.

As the wind intensified, attendees huddled together, straining to hear the testimonies. Vanessa Harcourt, a neighbor of the proposed site, warned that the development would have "immediate, severe and irreversible" impacts on the community. "It would have a catastrophic impact on the community and make my home effectively unliveable," she said, emphasizing that heavy industry would undermine years of investment in nearby residential areas. "No-one wants to live near a plastic recycling plant. No compromises make it compatible."

Local doctor Jacqueline Duc, a member of Doctors for the Environment, highlighted the psychological toll on residents. "Parents, grandparents, children, concerned if not terrified … the exhaustion and stress over five years cannot be underestimated," she said. "Just because we can does not mean we should. This could be a damaging and devastating outcome."

Safety concerns were also raised. Gabby Kent, a resident and volunteer firefighter, warned of the risk of a "catastrophic fire," noting that specialized firefighting resources are an hour away. She pointed out that the factory's exposed location would heighten safety and environmental risks. "It's a marathon, not a sprint … many of us have lost faith in the process, but we are glad we had the opportunity to be heard today," she said.

Witnesses criticized the management of the site. David Baxter, whose property is 150 meters from the proposed factory, mentioned that the company had left "two derelict buses" and allowed blackberry weeds to spread. "If they can't look after the weeds, how can they manage the potentially toxic output of the factory?" he asked, urging the court to reject the appeal.

Susan Stannard, an officer with Wingecarribee Council, suggested alternative locations for the facility. She stated that the Southern Goulburn Mulwaree Precinct, which has existing infrastructure for resource recovery and waste management, would be a more suitable site. Stannard added that the proposed site did not align with NSW Planning strategies or the EPA's waste and energy plans, offering "no strategic or site-specific merit" for the project. Her comments were met with applause from the audience.

The hearing lasted about 90 minutes. RePoly maintains that the project is "reasonable, lawful and compliant" and claims that many nearby residents now support it. The company has submitted amended plans to the Land and Environment Court as the legal process continues.