An Energy from Waste facility could be up and running in Parkes by 2030.

It was on the agenda at Parkes Shire Council's 18 March ordinary meeting after an extensive market process by Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation (RGDC) appointed a consortium led by Tribe Infrastructure Group to develop the project.

The anticipated $1.5 billion investment makes it the largest single investment in the history of Parkes.

Called the Parkes Energy Recovery, it will include a state-of-the-art Energy from Waste facility that will use globally proven technology to recover non-hazardous residual waste material that cannot be recycled and turn it into electricity, heat and steam.

The proposed facility will be located within the Parkes Special Activation Precinct where waste will be delivered directly by rail from dedicated transfer stations in Sydney.

It will divert an estimated 600,000 tonnes of waste per annum from landfill and generate at least 60 megawatts of energy.

Enough to power 80,000 homes per year.

It will also create up to 400 jobs during construction, expected to take place in 2027, and 50 permanent jobs for the life of the facility.

Councillors and Council’s Executive Management Team met with representatives from Parkes Energy Recovery where questions and concerns on health, air emissions and the environment were raised.

This took place prior to the monthly meeting during which councillors voted to endorse a submission on the Environment Protection Authority's Energy from Waste Options Paper that was tabled and that was 'significantly' summarised into nine points.

Some of these include supporting the permissibility of the facility and the value in a state level education campaign to help communities understand the impacts of an Energy from Waste plant, be 'absolutely uncompromising' in ensuring compliance, and proposing a state government hosting levy of about $10 per tonne on waste diverted - 50 per cent of which to go to Council.

"We are pleased to see progress on this important project and support the principle of the Parkes Energy Recovery facility, as part of a sustainable waste management solution for the future," Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott said.

"Council’s role of course is to represent the community and ensure the facility is safe to humans and the environment.

"We will also work with the consortium and the state government to ensure the impact on the community is satisfactorily addressed."

The proposed facility has been met with uneasy feelings from the community since it was first announced by RGDC at the end of 2020.

Parkes Energy Recovery is a group of companies led by Tribe and includes Tadweer Group, HiQ Group and Kanadevia Inova, who will design, fund, own and operate the facility on land leased from RGDC.

RGDC is delivering the Parkes Precinct.

"One of the most exciting things about this facility is that it may be a catalyst for businesses within the Parkes Precinct, with 60 megawatts of available baseload power and high-pressure steam and heat available to interested off-takers," Cr Westcott said.

"Businesses will surely be interested to co-locate with this development."

The consortium will now begin engaging with the Parkes community and seek rigorous planning and environmental approvals with the EPA and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, all required for the facility to go ahead.

During this process, Parkes Energy Recovery will produce technical studies as part of its development approval to ensure any technology adheres to high standards for human and ecosystem health.

The facility will require a licence from the NSW EPA before it can begin operating.

"We wish to reassure the community that we are dedicated to taking all necessary steps to educate ourselves on these facilities and ensuring that Parkes Energy Recovery places the safety of the community as a top priority," Cr Westcott said.

Parkes Energy Recovery will be hosting three drop-in sessions to inform and gather feedback from the community about its Energy from Waste facility.

They will run from 10-12 April from 8am to 5pm at the Cooke Park Pavilion.

For more information on the proposed facility, visit www.parkesenergy.com.au, email info@parkesenergy.com.au, or call (02) 8405 7915.