News
19 October, 2026
Full report: Community opposition has been unwavering
Community opposition to the proposed Repoly plastics recycling facility in Moss Vale has been unwavering. It has been strong and consistent from the start.
Community opposition to the proposed Repoly plastics recycling facility in Moss Vale has been unwavering. It has been strong and consistent from the start.
This was the key message from speakers at the first day of a Class 1 merits appeal being heard by the Land and Environment Court.
Between 800 and 1000 people are estimated to have turned out for the proceedings in Beaconsfield Road.
The size of the turnout wasn’t lost on Commissioner Peter Walsh.
“I’m noting the presence of the community here as I speak,” Commissioner Walsh said before proceedings commenced.
Local representatives at the event included Federal Member for Whitlam Carol Berry and State Members for Goulburn and Wollondilly, Wendy Tuckerman and Judy Hannan.
Wingecarribee Shire Council representatives included mayor Erin Foley, deputy mayor David Kent and councillors Heather Champion, Rachel Russell and Sara Moylan.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman told the Commissioner she had received an “enormous” number of representations and a “substantial” volume of correspondence since the plastics recycling facility was first proposed six years ago.
She said there had been a high level of public interest and community concern in relation to the (then) Plasrefine proposal and the “consistency of concern has never diminished”.
She said the “extraordinary” level of concern came not only from immediate neighbours and residents from Moss Vale but from people all across the Southern Highlands.
She said there was a genuine belief in the community that the proposed facility would have a long-term consequence and impact.
Mrs Tuckerman said residents were not against recycling or the circular economy but contended the recycling facility should be located in an area zoned for heavy industry – not in a location close to homes, schools and recreation areas.
She said it was simply the wrong development in the wrong location.
Mayor Erin Foley agreed.
“This is not the right site for a facility of this nature,” she told the Commissioner.
She said ‘Not the right site’ had been the “singular message” from the community over the past six years.
Cr Foley said the proposal was inconsistent with the Environment Planning and Assessment (EP and A) Act and would result in land-use conflicts because it would be at the interface of industrial and residential land.
She said it would also undermine confidence in the objectives of the Southern Highlands Innovation Precinct (SHIP).
Cr Foley said Moss Vale was a fast-growing town with a strong sense of community but it would be eroded if the plastic recycling facility went ahead.
It would also undermine Wingecarribee Shire Council’s vision for the LGA to become the most liveable place in NSW for all generations to thrive by 2035.
She said the plastics recycling facility could shape the liveability of the shire for generations to come and council would remain opposed to the project.
Other speakers said the proposal had already impacted their health and their property values.
Neighbour Vanessa Harcourt said her family had put their home on the market, but four offers had been withdrawn after potential buyers had learned of the proposed plastics recycling facility that could potentially end up next door.
She said they had lowered the price by 40 per cent, but it still didn’t sell and has now been withdrawn from market.
Mrs Harcourt said the Repoly proposal would have “serious consequences” and asked that those consequences be given genuine consideration.
“We are not asking for special treatment – we are asking for our concerns to be taken seriously,” Mrs Harcourt told the Commissioner.
Neighbour Jean McKern said she had the fortune of living in one of the most scenic and peaceful locations in the Southern Highlands but the misfortune of living in close proximity to the proposed Repoly facility.
She said stress related to the proposal had resulted in a number of health issues.
Mrs McKern described her home as her “sanctuary and peaceful place” but said the area’s rural ambience would be destroyed if the plastic recycling facility went ahead.
She said it would “spell disaster” for local residents and people living further beyond,
Dr Jacqueline Duc said local residents were concerned “if not terrified” by the proposal and told the Commissioner it would have long-term health impacts.
“Physical and mental health depends on the health of our environment,” she said.
She said the evidence showing the negative impact of microplastics on human health and the environment was “undeniable”.
Dr Duc said the health impacts of the plastics recycling facility couldn’t be underestimated and prevention was better than cure.
She warned that it could have critical impacts on human health in ways that are not yet fully understood.
Dr Duc said there had been health problems in her own family – including heart problems believed to have been caused by stress – because of the proposal.
Graham Horton told the Commissioner he had a small acreage near the Repoly site and the proposal threatened “all that we have and aspire to”.
He said the proposal had caused prolonged stress and anxiety as well as other health problems.
She said he and his wife were also worried about the financial position as retirees.
Mr Horton said the proposal had faced strong resistance from the very beginning and the Independent Planning Commission’s decision to reject Plasrefine’s initial application had been welcomed.
He warned that the Southern Highlands would launch a “prolonged and demanding defence of its identity” if the Repoly application gets the green light.
Resident Natalie Swainston said the health risks from the proposed plastics recycling facility could be potentially fatal and threatened the “beautiful outdoor life” she had been creating for her family.
She said people were “terrified” by the proposal and had the right to feel safe in their own homes.
Mrs Swainston said neighbours had been living in “suspended animation” since the application was lodged because there was no certainty about the future.
She said nothing had changed over the past six years and it was still the wrong site for the proposed development – particularly given its proximity to recreational facilities and to a child care where children spend extended periods of time outdoors.
Neighbour Gabby Kent said the proposed facility shouldn’t be permissible in an E4 general industry zone given its nature, scale and intensity.
Mrs Kent said she was particularly concerned about fire risk.
She told the Commissioner there was a 30 per cent chance of a major fire at the plant in the next 30 years and the impact would be “catastrophic”.
She said fire experts had warned that the risk could never be fully mitigated.
Mrs Kent also raised concerns about odour, noise and visual amenity and said the lighting from the facility would change the area’s rural residential character.
She said there were “sound legal and planning reasons” for Repoly’s application to be refused.
Speaking before proceedings commenced, Ingrid Skirka said the fight against Repoly’s proposed “toxic dump” would continue if the Land and Environment Court decision doesn’t fall in the community’s favour.
“We are here with hope in our hearts, but if it’s a bad decision it won’t be the end,” she said.
Today’s field proceedings included a site inspection which Commissioner Walsh said would help him understand the physical and practical implications of the proposal from a geographic sense.
Proceedings will now move to the Land and Environment Court in Sydney.
The Southern Wire will keep you updated on the court proceedings as they unfold in Sydney
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