Please sign our petition which will be presented to the Scenic Rim Regional Council.
To the Mayor and Councillors of Scenic Rim Regional Council,
We, the residents, workers, business owners, and community members of the Scenic Rim, respectfully submit this petition to formally express our opposition to the proposed waste incinerator at Bromelton.
The Scenic Rim is recognised for its unique rural character, clean air and water, productive agricultural land, natural landscapes, and strong community values. These attributes underpin our health, livelihoods, tourism economy, and quality of life.
We are deeply concerned that the proposed incinerator presents unacceptable risks and long-term consequences for our region, including but not limited to:
1. Health and Environmental Risks
Waste incinerators emit ultrafine particulate matter, heavy metals, dioxins, and PFAS-related pollutants, which can accumulate in air, soil, water, and food systems. Evidence links incinerators to increased rates of respiratory illness, asthma, cancers, and developmental impacts, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and rural communities.
2. Traffic and Infrastructure Impacts
The facility would require significant daily heavy vehicle movements on roads not designed for industrial waste transport, increasing risks to road safety, noise, air pollution, and infrastructure degradation, and negatively impacting residents and school communities.
3. Economic Harm to Agriculture and Tourism
The Scenic Rim’s economy relies on its clean and green reputation. Agriculture, agri-tourism, eco-tourism, small producers, and nature-based businesses depend on trust in environmental quality. An incinerator risks irreparable damage to existing livelihoods and long-term economic resilience.
4. Waste Does Not Disappear
Incineration does not eliminate waste. Modern facilities convert waste into approximately 25-30% toxic ash requiring specialized disposal, plus atmospheric emissions including greenhouse gases and trace pollutants that even the best filters cannot completely capture. Rather than solving our waste problem, incineration transforms it - creating concentrated toxic residues while contributing to air pollution and climate change. True sustainability requires reducing waste at the source, not finding technically sophisticated ways to dispose of it.
5. Community Consultation and Governance Concerns
Many community members remain unaware that this proposal is already progressing. We are concerned about the adequacy of consultation, transparency, long-term monitoring, and enforcement, particularly where compliance may rely on self-reporting by the operator.
Our Position
We respectfully call on Scenic Rim Regional Council to:
• Publicly oppose the proposed Bromelton waste incinerator
• Reject incineration as an appropriate waste solution for the Scenic Rim
• Prioritise community health, environmental protection, and existing livelihoods
• Advocate for genuine waste reduction, recycling, and non-toxic alternatives
• Ensure meaningful, transparent, and ongoing community engagement in all decisions affecting our region
We believe decisions made now will shape the Scenic Rim for generations. This proposal does not align with the values, character, or future our community seeks to protect.
We ask Council to stand with its community and Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic.
