30 March 2017

Hume facility would help protect landscape, oceans: FOY Group

| Stuart Clark
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FOY Group

FOY Group Ltd Managing Director Stuart Clark has issued a response to David Tuckwell’s opinion piece “On FOY’s refinery, the ACT Greens have missed an opportunity to lead”.


There are now eight million metric tons of plastic flowing into the ocean every year. So much that there will be more plastic by weight in the sea than fish by 2050 (https://newplasticseconomy.org/report-2016).

The use of heavy levies and fines by governments simply has not worked to achieve reducing the flow of waste plastics into our waterways and misdirected pollution in general.

Historically, approximately 80% of plastic consumed and in circulation is not recycled and 72% of plastic used in packaging is not recycled. In Australia, a total of 313,700 tonnes of plastics were sent for recycling either locally or via export in 2013-14, representing 20.4% of consumed plastic. This indicates that approximately 80% of plastic consumed is likely to be still in circulation or has been diverted to landfill. This is predominately due to the fact that the majority of plastics are uneconomic to recycle back to plastic consumer or industrial goods. Plastic consumption is increasing so the problem can’t be ignored.

The plastics are discarded into the environment because they have no value. A real solution has been developed by The FOY Group. FOY is a proud Australian technology company that works with business, community and government to rid our waterways and our land of harmful, end-of-life, non-recyclable plastics, by converting them to fuel. The FOY process takes proven technology and science and combines these in a unique way to produce Australian Standard road-ready diesel and petrol.

FOY proposes to construct a facility at Hume that will process 200 tonnes per day of waste plastic that is not recyclable and which would normally be disposed of as landfill or worse still as pollution in our waterways and landscape. FOY is working with their aggregators and local waste authorities in the ACT to utilise ACT generated non-recyclable waste as a first priority. This will provide a permanent and sustainable alternative to landfill. FOY strongly advocates that plastics that are potentially recyclable, must be recycled. The plastics supply contracts that FOY has with waste aggregators specifically rejects all recyclable plastics.

The FOY proposal is being comprehensively and independently reviewed by the ACT Government and in conjunction with this, FOY has commissioned and received a full Health Impact Assessment undertaken by an independent third party as well as many other independent studies. All these reports are available on the ACT Government website.

“Petrol and diesel make up the majority of fuel consumed in support of our current businesses and lifestyles. Its demand levels are high. An Australian made, lower cost fuel, which meets Australian standards, lowers emissions and reduces the carbon footprint required to produce road fuels when compared to conventional extraction and production methods by up to 38%, will be attractive to the market,” Stuart Clark, Managing Director FOY Group Ltd said.

“FOY welcomes the ACT Government process to confirm the science and safety of its proposal. FOY wants to provide the local community with the facts. We want to be good neighbours that the ACT can be proud of. Regrettably, those that remain the most vocal against us are the very parties that have refused multiple invitations to meet and as such continue to disperse misinformation.

“FOY has an answer to the massive worldwide problem of waste plastic pollution. It is a solution that reduces the carbon footprint, reduces the price of fuel in Australia, reduces the need to extract more fossil fuels and creates Australian jobs. Canberra has the opportunity to be part of this solution that protects the world’s landscapes and our oceans.”

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chewy14 said :

So, what do you think about the processes and independent review panel now? I’m sure that you’re going to reject these findings right? Seeing as the ACT doesn’t have access to the necessary depth of knowledge and technical capacity and all…….

The processes were a waste of time and ratepayers money. Logic and common sense (something this ACT Labor/Greens Govt has clearly displayed a serious lack of in planning and development decisions) said that a refinery in Hume, that close to residents, should be denied. The NSW Environmental Protection Agency rejected a FOY application and even wrote to the ACT Govt along similar lines (so much for their confidence that the ACT Govt could make the right and logical decision !). That alone should have automatically ruled out the FOY proposal at Hume, without wasting ratepayers $ on a panel of inquiry. Maybe FOY should meet the costs ?

In any event, happy that in relation to this FOY refinery proposal, the view of NIMBYs and many other experts have prevailed. At least for the time being……

I hope that the ACT Govt will give FOY back the deposit they paid on the land at Hume and that FOY will go away – permanently. Then FOY can find somewhere else for a pool of human guinea pigs for their refinery.

dungfungus said :

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

This is a quote from FOY in the link :

” Foy has a second project in planning in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. In information to the Australian Stock Exchange, Foy says NSW authorities want data from a plant in a like jurisdiction before they will approve the Berkeley Vale plant. The ACT factory is envisaged to provide that baseline data. “

Yep – Tuggeranong residents are certainly going to be guinea pigs – there can be no base line data for the Hume refinery proposal as its the 1st one using that unproven technology.

Proper processes ?

“Proper processes” like the Tram decision, its EIS, ongoing planning decisions, etc, by this ACT Gov’t give little comfort that “proper processes” are effective here. Perhaps the ACT is seen as a soft touch by FOY.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/independent-panel-slams-proposed-hume-plastics-plant-20170503-gvy4no.html

So, what do you think about the processes and independent review panel now?

I’m sure that you’re going to reject these findings right?

Seeing as the ACT doesn’t have access to the necessary depth of knowledge and technical capacity and all…….

This is great news.

It may have consequences for the government that approved the extension of the MLRMC too.

Here’s the link to the report: http://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1058059/Final-report-Inquiry-Panel-Hume-Waste-Plastic-to-Fuel-Facility.pdf

Some places referred to are reported as being in Fyshwick when they should be Symonston.

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

This is a quote from FOY in the link :

” Foy has a second project in planning in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. In information to the Australian Stock Exchange, Foy says NSW authorities want data from a plant in a like jurisdiction before they will approve the Berkeley Vale plant. The ACT factory is envisaged to provide that baseline data. “

Yep – Tuggeranong residents are certainly going to be guinea pigs – there can be no base line data for the Hume refinery proposal as its the 1st one using that unproven technology.

Proper processes ?

“Proper processes” like the Tram decision, its EIS, ongoing planning decisions, etc, by this ACT Gov’t give little comfort that “proper processes” are effective here. Perhaps the ACT is seen as a soft touch by FOY.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/independent-panel-slams-proposed-hume-plastics-plant-20170503-gvy4no.html

So, what do you think about the processes and independent review panel now?

I’m sure that you’re going to reject these findings right?

Seeing as the ACT doesn’t have access to the necessary depth of knowledge and technical capacity and all…….

This is great news.

It may have consequences for the government that approved the extension of the MLRMC too.

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

This is a quote from FOY in the link :

” Foy has a second project in planning in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. In information to the Australian Stock Exchange, Foy says NSW authorities want data from a plant in a like jurisdiction before they will approve the Berkeley Vale plant. The ACT factory is envisaged to provide that baseline data. “

Yep – Tuggeranong residents are certainly going to be guinea pigs – there can be no base line data for the Hume refinery proposal as its the 1st one using that unproven technology.

Proper processes ?

“Proper processes” like the Tram decision, its EIS, ongoing planning decisions, etc, by this ACT Gov’t give little comfort that “proper processes” are effective here. Perhaps the ACT is seen as a soft touch by FOY.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/independent-panel-slams-proposed-hume-plastics-plant-20170503-gvy4no.html

So, what do you think about the processes and independent review panel now?

I’m sure that you’re going to reject these findings right?

Seeing as the ACT doesn’t have access to the necessary depth of knowledge and technical capacity and all…….

Here’s an interesting twist on recycling plastics (and other stuff).

This group in California appears to be doing something similar to what Foy is proposing but on a much smaller scale. Both systems rely on incredibly high temperatures.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cathie-anderson/article140586478.html

Somewhere in the dialogue the promoter claims they can get energy from carbon.

Mmmmmm. If this is correct, shouldn’t The Greens be falling over each other to get this Californian system set up in Canberra? I mean it would allow us to reach 100% renewables in no time, even perhaps 200%!

Errrrr ….. how exactly will taking plastics out of LANDfill remove one ounce of plastics from the ocean? Looks like a sales-pitch crock to me – let’s feel good about saving a turtle while we make some money. If they were proposing to dredge the oceans that would be great – but that would cost a fortune so they are not interested in that.

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

This is a quote from FOY in the link :

” Foy has a second project in planning in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. In information to the Australian Stock Exchange, Foy says NSW authorities want data from a plant in a like jurisdiction before they will approve the Berkeley Vale plant. The ACT factory is envisaged to provide that baseline data. “

Yep – Tuggeranong residents are certainly going to be guinea pigs – there can be no base line data for the Hume refinery proposal as its the 1st one using that unproven technology.

Proper processes ?

“Proper processes” like the Tram decision, its EIS, ongoing planning decisions, etc, by this ACT Gov’t give little comfort that “proper processes” are effective here. Perhaps the ACT is seen as a soft touch by FOY.

Stuart Clark from Foy needs to respond to this and explain why he “envisages” that the Hume proposal will be approved.

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

This is a quote from FOY in the link :

” Foy has a second project in planning in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. In information to the Australian Stock Exchange, Foy says NSW authorities want data from a plant in a like jurisdiction before they will approve the Berkeley Vale plant. The ACT factory is envisaged to provide that baseline data. “

Yep – Tuggeranong residents are certainly going to be guinea pigs – there can be no base line data for the Hume refinery proposal as its the 1st one using that unproven technology.

Proper processes ?

“Proper processes” like the Tram decision, its EIS, ongoing planning decisions, etc, by this ACT Gov’t give little comfort that “proper processes” are effective here. Perhaps the ACT is seen as a soft touch by FOY.

So you misread the article, thanks for admitting it.

And the NIMBY’s catch 22, you can’t put in a plant until you’ve put in a plant somewhere else.

Sorry, that doesn’t cut the mustard, it will clearly be one of the things the expert review will look at and they will certainly place requirements on any plant to monitor emissions to ensure their compliance with regulation.

As for your comparison with the tram (as a critic of that decision myself), it fails miserably. This will primarily be an
environmental and health decision based on the existing regulations and processes in place, whereas the Tram is a financial decision, where the government has significantly more room to make policy decisions which they did.

To sum up (because I’m sick of this discussion), you have no evidence that the independent review is biased yet you think it won’t work. You impugn the professional integrity of those involved without reason and you won’t accept the outcome of the decision unless it goes your way. As I said at the beginning, text book NIMBY.

wildturkeycanoe said :

chewy14 said :

Are you suggesting that the independent review process that has been set up is somehow biased or not actually independent?

Big call, got anything to back that up? You’re potentially attacking the professional reputation of the expert reviewers that will be involved.

It may be a fruitless exercise, as we have already seen with the light rail project. It won’t matter even if the experts advise them project is not wise to proceed with, the government will steam ahead because they can and nobody has the power to stop them.
I wonder if it will be the same experts who conducted the study that prevented FOY from starting up in NSW?

The tram experts were mainly critical of the financial aspects of a mass transit proposal that essentially would do exactly the same as the busses. The only environmental issues were the perceptions that trams were somehow “greener than busses”. The worst the tram project can do is bankrupt the Territory.

The issues facing the expert panel examining the Foy proposal are only health and environment which are far more important than the billions of dollars at risk with the with the tram project as failure to control some of the nasty emissions from the recycling process could kill Territorians.

Then again, the government has a record of ignoring expert advice (they did with the extension of the Mugga Lane land fill) so don’t be surprised if Foy gets the “green” light.

chewy14 said :

rommeldog56 said :

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

This is a quote from FOY in the link :

” Foy has a second project in planning in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. In information to the Australian Stock Exchange, Foy says NSW authorities want data from a plant in a like jurisdiction before they will approve the Berkeley Vale plant. The ACT factory is envisaged to provide that baseline data. “

Yep – Tuggeranong residents are certainly going to be guinea pigs – there can be no base line data for the Hume refinery proposal as its the 1st one using that unproven technology.

Proper processes ? “Proper processes” like the Tram decision, its EIS, ongoing planning decisions, etc, by this ACT Gov’t give little comfort that “proper processes” are effective here. Perhaps the ACT is seen as a soft touch by FOY.

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

Are you suggesting that the independent review process that has been set up is somehow biased or not actually independent?

Big call, got anything to back that up? You’re potentially attacking the professional reputation of the expert reviewers that will be involved.

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

That’s not what that article said although it’s unsurprising you would misread it. It says there is a second proposal for a new plant in NSW, that authorities want better data on. Nothing to do with the first rejection, the reason for which is unknown.

Although the issue of emissions data is something that the expert panel will clearly look at and make an informed assessment on. If they believe the emissions or health risks are too high and reject the proposal then all well and good. If they approve it, the same.

Why are you so against proper processes being followed?

chewy14 said :

Are you suggesting that the independent review process that has been set up is somehow biased or not actually independent?

Big call, got anything to back that up? You’re potentially attacking the professional reputation of the expert reviewers that will be involved.

Can not find anything on who the ACT expert panel actually are. But here is a C/T article that is certainly worth reading. It appears that NSW EPA knocked back the FOY proposal in NSW because they lacked baseline data to support their claims re emissions, health impacts, etc. So FOY wants to use the Canberra plant to provide that to NSW !! As I said, Tuggeranong residents are FOYs Guinea Pigs for this unproven technology :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/proposed-act-plasticstofuel-plant-to-be-investigated-by-expert-health-panel-20170111-gtphay.html

wildturkeycanoe9:07 pm 03 Apr 17

chewy14 said :

Are you suggesting that the independent review process that has been set up is somehow biased or not actually independent?

Big call, got anything to back that up? You’re potentially attacking the professional reputation of the expert reviewers that will be involved.

It may be a fruitless exercise, as we have already seen with the light rail project. It won’t matter even if the experts advise them project is not wise to proceed with, the government will steam ahead because they can and nobody has the power to stop them.
I wonder if it will be the same experts who conducted the study that prevented FOY from starting up in NSW?

wildturkeycanoe said :

chewy14 said :

See, it really isn’t that hard to admit that you believe your emotions should have more relevance and influence here than an independent, expert review based on a balanced assessment of the facts.

What is balanced about the government who sold the land and stands to gain profit from the rates, levies and other benefits such as subsidized fuel, being the same people who are putting together the team who will provide this analysis? Unless all the affected parties involved [ratepayers, nearby property owners, concerned citizens etc.] are involved and some reputable, unbiased professionals go over FOY’s environmental reports and then conduct their own independent studies, there will never be a valid approval for the new project. How can the government allow them to legally melt plastic, whilst Canberra can’t have a drag strip to burn rubber on?

Are you suggesting that the independent review process that has been set up is somehow biased or not actually independent?

Big call, got anything to back that up? You’re potentially attacking the professional reputation of the expert reviewers that will be involved.

wildturkeycanoe2:41 pm 03 Apr 17

chewy14 said :

See, it really isn’t that hard to admit that you believe your emotions should have more relevance and influence here than an independent, expert review based on a balanced assessment of the facts.

What is balanced about the government who sold the land and stands to gain profit from the rates, levies and other benefits such as subsidized fuel, being the same people who are putting together the team who will provide this analysis? Unless all the affected parties involved [ratepayers, nearby property owners, concerned citizens etc.] are involved and some reputable, unbiased professionals go over FOY’s environmental reports and then conduct their own independent studies, there will never be a valid approval for the new project. How can the government allow them to legally melt plastic, whilst Canberra can’t have a drag strip to burn rubber on?

rommeldog56 said :

chewy14 said :

I find it rather amusing that just days ago you were attacking me for labelling the opponents to this NIMBY’s because of the irrational scare mongering when there is an independent review occurring.

Since then, the repeated posts to what is clearly a well regulated and balanced process are getting harder to describe as anything but.

But u call “NIMBY” to so many developments.

In any event, as a resident local to the proposed FOY refinery, I would be proud to be termed a NIMBY ! Feel free.

In relation to “balanced and well regulated processes”, I note the voluminous amount of info and tech speak produced by FOY – they have been down this path with the NSW Environmental Protection Agency previously. I have to wonder whether the ACT Govt’s inquiry panel has or has access to the same depth of knowledge and technical capacity in order to conduct the inquiry & make correct findings.

FOY are after all, masters of their technology and science. “Balanced Processes” ?? Personally, since the tram Benefits Costs Ratio and its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), I have less than zero confidence that ACT Labor/Greens can effectively Inquire into the FOY proposal.

Again, I call on ACT Labor and Liberal MLAs in Brindabella/Tuggeranong to put aside party politics and join together to stand up for the potentially affected residents by standing against the FOY proposal.

Not In My Back Yard ? You had better believe it !!!

See, it really isn’t that hard to admit that you believe your emotions should have more relevance and influence here than an independent, expert review based on a balanced assessment of the facts.

chewy14 said :

I find it rather amusing that just days ago you were attacking me for labelling the opponents to this NIMBY’s because of the irrational scare mongering when there is an independent review occurring.

Since then, the repeated posts to what is clearly a well regulated and balanced process are getting harder to describe as anything but.

But u call “NIMBY” to so many developments. In any event, as a resident local to the proposed FOY refinery, I would be proud to be termed a NIMBY ! Feel free.

In relation to “balanced and well regulated processes”, I note the voluminous amount of info and tech speak produced by FOY – they have been down this path with the NSW Environmental Protection Agency previously. I have to wonder whether the ACT Govt’s inquiry panel has or has access to the same depth of knowledge and technical capacity in order to conduct the inquiry & make correct findings.

FOY are after all, masters of their technology and science. “Balanced Processes” ?? Personally, since the tram Benefits Costs Ratio and its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), I have less than zero confidence that ACT Labor/Greens can effectively Inquire into the FOY proposal.

Again, I call on ACT Labor and Liberal MLAs in Brindabella/Tuggeranong to put aside party politics and join together to stand up for the potentially affected residents by standing against the FOY proposal. Not In My Back Yard ? You had better believe it !!!

bryansworld said :

Haven’t we moved beyond converting plastic into fossil fuels?!

That’s a damn good point which everyone else appears to have overlooked, especially the ACT government who is hell-bent on the fantasy of becoming 100% reliable on renewables.

In no way is this “recycling” proposal environmentally friendly and the carbon footprint is huge.

All for what?

Haven’t we moved beyond converting plastic into fossil fuels?!

dungfungus said :

chewy14 said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

It is disturbing that the land has already been purchased prior to any public debate or environmental impact study being done. What does FOY know to make them so certain of it’s success in obtaining government approval, that they would invest over $3 million in land acquisition back in August last year? Sounds like the government has already rubber stamped the go ahead and are simply going through the motions, knowing that the ACT residents really have no power to stop whatever they do.

Why would anyone invest in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in studies required if they didn’t own the land first.

That would be a pretty stupid thing to do, for both the potential seller and buyer of the land.

What happens if you spend the money and the buyer then changes their mind and doesn’t want to sell?

What happens if you own the land and the studies return negative findings and you’ve lost the sale?

Would you hire a builder and complete a design before you’d bought a block of land for your house?

The contract was probably conditional on getting approval for a refinery. This is another conflict of interest if this is the case.

Jeez, as a property owner, I’m pretty sure I’m not signing a contract with you on those kind of terms.

“hey friend, can you hold that land you own for two years earning no income? And if i decide I don’t want it because of the “science”, you’ll be fine with losing the sale and a bucket load of money right?”

Yeah, sounds reasonable, that happens alllllll the time.

wildturkeycanoe6:44 pm 01 Apr 17

chewy14 said :

Why would anyone invest in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in studies required if they didn’t own the land first.

That would be a pretty stupid thing to do, for both the potential seller and buyer of the land.

Would you hire a builder and complete a design before you’d bought a block of land for your house?

I’d say the hundreds of thousands for studies were already done when they tried in N.S.W. and they simply edited the address for the Hume proposal.
As for hiring a builder and designing the house before you buy the land, totally irrelevant unless you have a house that may get rejected because of its potential environmental impact. A house this is not, it is a fuel refinery that will increase traffic into and out of Canberra [200 tonnes of plastic a day], cause residents downwind and the whole project achieves only one outcome – more greenhouse gas producing fuel oils. What part of this project is going to reduce carbon dioxide emissions? Will it be the diesel sucking road transport? Will it be the furnaces that pour out CO2? Will it be the vapors from the conversion process or the emissions from every single application that the resulting fuel will be powering?
The plastic in it’s solid form, has captured all that carbon into a state that can be buried back into the earth. By refining it into fuels, we are letting all of that carbon back into the environment. How can this possibly be any better than mining coal?
Can nobody see that turning plastic into oil is only creating another source of greenhouse gas, while claiming to be good for the planet?

chewy14 said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

It is disturbing that the land has already been purchased prior to any public debate or environmental impact study being done. What does FOY know to make them so certain of it’s success in obtaining government approval, that they would invest over $3 million in land acquisition back in August last year? Sounds like the government has already rubber stamped the go ahead and are simply going through the motions, knowing that the ACT residents really have no power to stop whatever they do.

Why would anyone invest in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in studies required if they didn’t own the land first.

That would be a pretty stupid thing to do, for both the potential seller and buyer of the land.

What happens if you spend the money and the buyer then changes their mind and doesn’t want to sell?

What happens if you own the land and the studies return negative findings and you’ve lost the sale?

Would you hire a builder and complete a design before you’d bought a block of land for your house?

The contract was probably conditional on getting approval for a refinery. This is another conflict of interest if this is the case.

wildturkeycanoe said :

It is disturbing that the land has already been purchased prior to any public debate or environmental impact study being done. What does FOY know to make them so certain of it’s success in obtaining government approval, that they would invest over $3 million in land acquisition back in August last year? Sounds like the government has already rubber stamped the go ahead and are simply going through the motions, knowing that the ACT residents really have no power to stop whatever they do.

Why would anyone invest in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in studies required if they didn’t own the land first.

That would be a pretty stupid thing to do, for both the potential seller and buyer of the land.

What happens if you spend the money and the buyer then changes their mind and doesn’t want to sell?

What happens if you own the land and the studies return negative findings and you’ve lost the sale?

Would you hire a builder and complete a design before you’d bought a block of land for your house?

wildturkeycanoe said :

It is disturbing that the land has already been purchased prior to any public debate or environmental impact study being done. What does FOY know to make them so certain of it’s success in obtaining government approval, that they would invest over $3 million in land acquisition back in August last year? Sounds like the government has already rubber stamped the go ahead and are simply going through the motions, knowing that the ACT residents really have no power to stop whatever they do.

The government is obviously prepared to again repeat their ignoring of expert advice that the extension of the Mugga Lane land fill would impact on environmental disamenity and health issues to residential suburbs nearby which are coincidentally Liberal supporting areas.

At their peril.

wildturkeycanoe7:54 am 01 Apr 17

It is disturbing that the land has already been purchased prior to any public debate or environmental impact study being done. What does FOY know to make them so certain of it’s success in obtaining government approval, that they would invest over $3 million in land acquisition back in August last year? Sounds like the government has already rubber stamped the go ahead and are simply going through the motions, knowing that the ACT residents really have no power to stop whatever they do.

rommeldog56 said :

Stuart Clark said :

…….and continue to look forward to ACT being our
flagship site.

“flagship site” ?

Read “experimental” site with thousands of nearby residents likely to end up as the guinea pigs !

I find it rather amusing that just days ago you were attacking me for labelling the opponents to this NIMBY’s because of the irrational scare mongering when there is an independent review occurring.

Since then, the repeated posts to what is clearly a well regulated and balanced process are getting harder to describe as anything but.

Stuart Clark said :

…….and continue to look forward to ACT being our
flagship site.

“flagship site” ? Read “experimental” site with thousands of nearby residents likely to end up as the guinea pigs !

wildturkeycanoe2:11 pm 31 Mar 17

This dribble about plastic in the ocean does not in any way provide a solution to waste in the waterways. Who is going to collect the plastic and deliver it to FOY? Nobody, because it is not financially viable. This project will only reduce waste from litterbugs if they start paying $/kg to the public, which still won’t be enough to persuade lazy people to stop littering.
Have the fuels from these recycled plastics been trialled for being suitable in privately owned vehicles, or will engine failures result?

Stuart Clark said :

Thank you Ms Lee for your interest in our proposal. FOY also welcomes the public inquiry process to confirm the
science and safety of its proposal and we are very cognisant of supporting this process. We believe the
Public Inquiry Panel should be allowed to undertake its work without undue external influence.

The FOY proposal is being comprehensively and independently reviewed by the ACT Government and in
conjunction with this FOY has submitted a full Health Impact Assessment undertaken by an independent third
party as well as many other independent studies. All these reports are available on the ACT Government
website.

The FOY process takes proven technology and science and combines these in a unique way to produce Australian
Standard road-ready diesel and petrol. The plastics supply contracts that FOY has with waste aggregators
specifically rejects all recyclable plastics.

We are continuing to work with the NSW government authorities to progress our plans for a facility in that
state. FOY is also currently in the USA progressing the commercialisation of our Australian technology. As a
publicly listed company, this positive US activity is a matter that we have informed the market of via the
ASX and FOY website. We are very proud of our achievements and continue to look forward to ACT being our
flagship site.

Unfortunately our meeting has had to be deferred because of both yours and my commitmements but I understand
we will be meeting shortly.
Stuart Clark

“independently reviewed by the ACT Government”?

How can this be true when the ACT government (LDA) has already sold the land to Foy so they can operate the industry there.

It’s just another conflict of interest with a “Capital C”.

Stuart Clark11:30 am 31 Mar 17

Thank you Ms Lee for your interest in our proposal. FOY also welcomes the public inquiry process to confirm the
science and safety of its proposal and we are very cognisant of supporting this process. We believe the
Public Inquiry Panel should be allowed to undertake its work without undue external influence.

The FOY proposal is being comprehensively and independently reviewed by the ACT Government and in
conjunction with this FOY has submitted a full Health Impact Assessment undertaken by an independent third
party as well as many other independent studies. All these reports are available on the ACT Government
website.

The FOY process takes proven technology and science and combines these in a unique way to produce Australian
Standard road-ready diesel and petrol. The plastics supply contracts that FOY has with waste aggregators
specifically rejects all recyclable plastics.

We are continuing to work with the NSW government authorities to progress our plans for a facility in that
state. FOY is also currently in the USA progressing the commercialisation of our Australian technology. As a
publicly listed company, this positive US activity is a matter that we have informed the market of via the
ASX and FOY website. We are very proud of our achievements and continue to look forward to ACT being our
flagship site.

Unfortunately our meeting has had to be deferred because of both yours and my commitmements but I understand
we will be meeting shortly.
Stuart Clark

Elizabeth Lee MLA said :

Thank you Mr Clark for your piece – as you are well aware, the FOY proposed plant is of great interest to many Canberrans.

You are also probably aware that Canberrans are more environmentally conscious and responsible than anywhere else in Australia and the process that FOY is proposing seems, in theory, a great one.

I had asked about what enquiries had been made on health and environmental impacts last year and I welcome the ACT Government’s decision to establish the investigative panel.

I’m also looking forward to hearing more from your team at our (re-re-rescheduled) meeting next week.

But, as I am sure that RiotACT readers and the Canberra community will want to know – it would be good to know:

1) you say this is ‘proven’ technology – where else has FOY set up this type of plant and proven there are no harmful impacts to health and environment?

2) how much of the 200 tonnes of plastic that FOY will be processing will come from outside of the ACT and what environmental impacts will bringing plastic from interstate have on the ACT?

3) we understand that FOY’s proposed plant was rejected in NSW. Could you please advise the reason for that rejection?

4) given new advances in recycling technology, can you confirm for certain that the plastic FOY intends to process is actually ‘unrecyclable’?

I look forward to our ongoing discussions.

Thank you very much for representing your constituents in this matter Ms Lee. No doubt, residents will be most interested in the outcome !!

Other issues are (a) whether FOY are proposing to sell the oil/petrol from their proposed Hume refinery to the ACT Gov’t at a discount or other agreed rate (eg. for use in ACTION buses, etc – that will possibly influence the ACT Govt’s decision !) (b) will the proposed Hume site eventually carry more incinerators than initially planned (as I understand it, there are proposed to be 4 incinerators but there is room on the site to double that to aprox. 8 – so the refinery will up to double in size).

Also, with the huge resources available to the NSW State Govt/Environmental Protection Agency and given the extensive amount of material that FOY has linked to in the OP, I and other residents have next to zero confidence that the ACT Govt’s inquiry panel can effectively weed through and properly assess all the FOY info, which as u would expect, is much spin in favor of their proposal. It is too voluminous and too technically complex for most “normal” people to understand I’m afraid so we rely on our elected representatives and the inquiry panel to look after the interests and health of residents – please.

Does Foy receive a fee for accepting the “un-recyclable plastics”?

If Foy doesn’t obtain them and process them, what happens to them? I guess they go to landfill as commercial waste so the disposers would be paying a hefty fee to get rid of them.

To transport them from interstate (up to 200 tonnes daily) will cost a lot of money.

Something doesn’t add up here.

Elizabeth Lee MLA7:32 am 30 Mar 17

Thank you Mr Clark for your piece – as you are well aware, the FOY proposed plant is of great interest to many Canberrans.

You are also probably aware that Canberrans are more environmentally conscious and responsible than anywhere else in Australia and the process that FOY is proposing seems, in theory, a great one.

I had asked about what enquiries had been made on health and environmental impacts last year and I welcome the ACT Government’s decision to establish the investigative panel.

I’m also looking forward to hearing more from your team at our (re-re-rescheduled) meeting next week.

But, as I am sure that RiotACT readers and the Canberra community will want to know – it would be good to know:

1) you say this is ‘proven’ technology – where else has FOY set up this type of plant and proven there are no harmful impacts to health and environment?

2) how much of the 200 tonnes of plastic that FOY will be processing will come from outside of the ACT and what environmental impacts will bringing plastic from interstate have on the ACT?

3) we understand that FOY’s proposed plant was rejected in NSW. Could you please advise the reason for that rejection?

4) given new advances in recycling technology, can you confirm for certain that the plastic FOY intends to process is actually ‘unrecyclable’?

I look forward to our ongoing discussions.

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