Arabic version: مدرسة باركس تخشى فقدان الطلاب بسبب المحرقة المقترحة

A parliamentary inquiry has heard a NSW regional school predicts it will lose students if a waste incinerator is built a few kilometres away from its campus. The inquiry is focused on proposed energy from waste incinerators intended to burn Sydney’s rubbish in regional areas, including Parkes.

According to ABC News, Glen Westcott, the principal of Parkes Christian School, expressed concerns that the incinerator could be “catastrophic” for its population. He indicated that parents and staff might consider leaving if the facility is approved, significantly impacting student enrollment.

The $1.5 billion Parkes Energy Recovery facility is slated to burn 700,000 tonnes of rubbish per year, if approved. The inquiry committee is examining the implications of such technology on human health, agriculture, soil, and water. Westcott highlighted that the school’s growth from 160 pupils nine years ago to 430 today could be jeopardized by the incinerator’s presence.

Additionally, local First Nations groups raised alarms about potential environmental damage from the incinerator. Karryn Schaefer, chair of the Peak Hill Bogan River Aboriginal Advisory Committee, expressed concerns about toxic particles affecting sacred sites like Snake Rock. Local leaders and community members have voiced strong opposition to the project, citing a lack of information and consultation from the NSW government.

The Parkes mayor, Neil Westcott, noted that 6,500 residents signed a petition against the incinerator, reflecting widespread community discontent. A public forum held during the inquiry showed that while most speakers opposed the project, some residents advocated for the potential benefits of waste-to-energy technology. The committee is set to hold further hearings in Sydney and Goulburn next month before finalizing its findings.