THE Australian Government is not part of any talks surrounding the proposed Vuda Waste-to-Energy power plant at Naikorokoro Point in Saweni, Lautoka.
In response to queries from this newspaper, Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said it was not involved in the proposed $1.4billion project by The Next Generation (TNG) Fiji.
“The Australian Government has no involvement with the proposed facility at Naikorokoro Point, Fiji,” the department said in a statement.
“This is a private sector initiative.
“The Australian Government does not have jurisdiction over the construction of waste facilities or privately-owned ports in other countries.”
The department statement also highlighted Australia’s legislation that regulate the export of waste.
“Unsorted household rubbish is classified as hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989.
“The Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) (Waigani Convention) Regulations 1999 preclude the granting of permits to export hazardous waste to Fiji, as Fiji is a (Pacific Island Forum) Country and both Australia and Fiji are parties to the Waigani Convention.”
The State agency also clarified that TNG has not applied for a license to export waste out of Australia.
“The department has not received an application for a permit or licence from Mr (Ian) Malouf, Mr (Rob) Cromb or TNG Fiji relating to the export of waste from Australia to Fiji.”
According to Australia’s Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989, a person who has one or more export proposals in relation to hazardous waste may apply to the minister for a permit authorising the export of the waste.
Section 13 of the Act outlines the application must be in the form approved by the minister, set out or be accompanied by such information relating to the proposal, the physical and chemical characteristics of the waste, the route over which the waste is transported, the recipient of the waste and the proposals will all be carried out within 12 months of each other.
TNG Fiji had said at the start of public consultations in January this year that 700,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste would be exported from other countries including Australia and New Zealand to the facility in Naikorokoro Point.
A total of 900,000 tonnes of waste is needed to generate 80 Megawatt of electricity from the proposed waste from energy power plant.
