News
18 November, 2025
Conciliation talks ‘chaotic’
Parties have clashed at conciliation talks relating to the proposed Repoly plastics recycling facility in Moss Vale.
Parties have clashed at conciliation talks relating to the proposed Repoly plastics recycling facility in Moss Vale.
A source has described yesterday’s closed conciliation talks as “chaotic”.
Any further chance at conciliation has now been deferred until March 19, 2026.
Yesterday’s conciliation talks followed an on-site meeting in Moss Vale at which six people were permitted to speak before Land and Environment Commissioner, Joanne Gray.
All six people – including a Wingecarribee Shire Council representative and neighbours of the proposed development – spoke against the Repoly proposal.
The on-site hearing attracted a large number of objectors from across the region.
Unfortunately most were unable to hear what was said because of blustery weather conditions.
The Southern Wire has been told that Monday’s closed conciliation talks were less than conciliatory.
There was a particular focus on issues already raised before the Independent Planning Commission relating to impacts on the environment and particularly on air quality.
The Southern Wire has been told that the Garvan Institute of Medical Research – which operates the Australian BioResources facility in Moss Vale adjoining the proposed Repoly site – is refusing to accept any conditions on the proposed Repoly plastics recycling facility unless the proponents can guarantee “zero impact”.
Given that conciliation is now looking increasingly unlikely, a final decision on the Repoly application will almost inevitably rest with the Land and Environment Court.
The original Plasrefine proposal for a plastics recycling factory off Beaconsfield Road was rejected by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in January this year after a four-year community fight.
The proponent has since rebranded as RePoly and has lodged an appeal in the Land and Environment Court seeking to overturn the IPC’s decision.
One of the speakers at yesterday’s on-site conference, Dr Jacqueline Duc speaking on behalf of local doctors and Doctors for the Environment Australia, said the Plasrefine/Repoly application had already taken a heavy toll on local residents both physically and emotionally.
While an armed sheriff ordered The Southern Wire to delete any photos from yesterday’s proceedings except those that were taken of people gathering on Beaconsfield Road, footage showing the number of people on the access road off Beaconsfield Road who attended the on-site hearing since has been posted on Facebook and aired on television.
Read More: Moss Vale, Southern Highlands