That a company can progress plans for what would be Australia's largest factory of its kind with no apparent knowledge from the ACT government is a concern.

The decision by the Environment and Planning Directorate to extend the public notification of the Environmental Impact Statement this week is an indication of the surprise nature of the proposal.

The proponents of the facility, which will convert 200 tonnes of waste plastics into transport fuels every day, have downplayed fears and claim residents will not be able to hear the factory or smell emissions.

Foy Group has also met with community groups and letter-boxed residents of nearby suburbs about the plans.

Despite their communicative attentions, residents and now Hume traders are understandably up in arms about the proposal.

Hume might be an industrial site but that does not mean that any old proposal will be accepted.

The Hume Traders Association members are concerned that the fuel recycling factory will affect the economy of the area and discourage further development.

And they are worried, like many residents, over possible emissions including sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

While the factory plans sound environmentally friendly at first blush there are still serious concerns remaining over public and environmental safety.

There are also strong parallels with the proposal almost 10 years ago for a gas-fired power station and data centre that was abandoned after strong community opposition.

It is not on the same block of land but is close enough for Tuggeranong residents to feel the same level of concern and for the government to get a sense of deja vu.

While Foy Group is doing its best to allay the fears of the community it is going to face a tough task to get residents on-side with it, particularly given the area's history.

Proposals such as this one that could have ramifications for the wider community really need to be assessed carefully and examined closely by the incoming ACT government.