Business owners in Hume have lashed out at a proposal to build Australia's largest plastic-to-fuel recycling centre in the suburb.
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Members of the Hume Traders Association are arguing the planned facility, which would be able to convert 200 tonnes of plastic waste per day, would set back the local economy and discourage further development in the area.
The association's co-ordinator Mike Steele said many people were concerned over potential emissions from the site.
"This will be a development that will have a big impact on Hume as well as the outlying suburbs," he said.
"The site that [the developers] have chosen is in the centre of the new South Hume Industrial Park and there'll be a lot more development and people right near it."
A draft environmental-impact statement lists possible emissions including sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide, however the developers behind the proposal, Foy Group, have downplayed concerns over emissions.
"Emissions from the site will be orders of magnitude lower than a conventional household fireplace," a spokeswoman said.
Despite Foy's assurances, Mr Steele said many members of the Hume Traders Association are worried that monitoring emissions at the facility would be self-regulated.
"We're no more than 500 metres away, and that's fairly concerning," he said.
"It's the first of its type in the ACT and a lot of people are concerned about how this will be policed."
Mr Steele argues that business is already down in Hume compared to other industrial areas in Canberra such as Fyshwick, with the proposed facility potentially discouraging other businesses from setting up in the area.
Andy Stodulka was one of the first business owners to set up work in the Hume subdivision 16 years ago.
He said land prices in the suburb have already decreased due to their proximity to the Mugga Lane Tip, and will decrease further because of the plastic-to-fuel plant.
"It's definitely going to inhibit further clean-air industries in the area," he said.
"It's going to be the same thing as with the rubbish tip. There'll be respiratory issues that could affect employment."
The spokeswoman for Foy has dismissed claims the facility would harm business in the area, arguing instead it would attract more to Hume.
"Foy does not consider this concern will manifest as an actual issue as Foy will build a clean, quiet facility that will reduce landfill," she said.
Foy Group met with members of the traders association on Thursday to address concerns surrounding the facility.
While the consultation period on the project has been extended until November 2 due to the large number of submissions, business owners say they were not initially briefed on the proposal.
Despite Foy stating letter box drops were carried out to all businesses in the Hume area informing them of the facility, Mr Steele said this never took place.
About 1600 flyers were delivered to residents in surrounding suburbs of Gilmore and Macarthur.
"The consultation for the Environmental Impact Statement was definitely rushed," Mr Steele said.
Foy stated previously they had hoped to start construction on the facility this month.