Pro-bono Legal Counsel has come on board for Ms Rachel Russell, a Councillor at Wingecarribee Shire Council, to file an application with the Land and Environment Court to be heard as an objecting party in her personal capacity, to the proposal by Repoly Pty Ltd (formerly Plasrefine ), to build Australia’s largest plastics recycling factory in Moss Vale.
This announcement comes after decisions by Wingecarribee Shire Council at an Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday 12th August not to seek prospects of success or strategy advice from legal counsel on the matter, or to exercise their right to seek joinder in the Land and Environment Court proceedings within 28 days. The respondent in the case is the Independent Planning Commission, and at this stage the IPC has also been joined by community group Southern Highlands Matters.
Ms Rachel Russell said, “This proposal has no social licence to be constructed at this location, with no buffer zone to existing, conflicting land uses. We have no option other than to win against Repoly.”
“We want to make sure we have the best opportunity to present a strong case before the Appeals court. Even though I am not officially representing Council, by having a seat at the table I can help ensure that.”
“My campaign promise was that I would represent my community, and focus on the infrastructure we need for a safe, healthy and prosperous community. I am committed to doing just that,” Ms Russell said.
