Mission Statement
Our Region. Our Health. Our Future.
Long Water Agricultural Association Inc is a group of concerned primary producers fighting to stop the development of a massive industrial waste incinerator at Tarago (near Goulburn) in NSW. Proposed by multinational waste management company Veolia, the ‘Woodlawn Advanced Energy Recovery Centre’ would burn 350,000 tonnes of waste each year, producing toxic byproducts and emissions that threaten agriculture in the Goulburn‑Mulwaree region.
In addition, our aim is to educate the public about the dangers incineration poses to food and water security, both from emissions and from the forever chemicals created during the process. Ultimately, we are working to protect our community, the NSW public, future farming generations and our nation’s natural capital from long‑term harm.
Who we are
Protecting Farms and Families from the Tarago Waste Incinerator
Long Water Agricultural Association Inc submitted its response to Veolia’s EIS on behalf of more than 57 agricultural enterprises located within 40 kilometres of the proposed incinerator, representing 63,966 hectares of productive agricultural land, including:
220,0000
21,000
20,000
5,000
7,000
Concerns with Waste Incineration
Stronger Together Against the Tarago Waste Incinerator.
Recent changes to Veolia’s incinerator proposal have intensified concerns about toxic emissions, groundwater contamination risks and the long‑term health impacts this project could impose on nearby communities and agricultural land. Moreover, the revised design adds uncertainty around how hazardous ash, heavy metals and forever chemicals would be handled on site.
As a result, farmers and residents are increasingly worried about the cumulative effects these pollutants could have on livestock, soil health and regional water systems.
Stay updated with the latest Concerns.
Tarago Plume Plotter
The map shows the (predicted) current state of pollution from the proposed incinerator at Tarago, NSW.
The red line shows wind direction. Green rings show distance (km). Colours show concentration of oxides of nitrogen at ground level. Maximum: 0/m3.
The Proposed Incinerator
Veolia proposes to build an Incinerator at its Woodlawn facility in Tarago that will burn 380,000 tonnes of Sydney’s waste each year for the next 25+ years. Veolia also proposes to treat and manage hazardous incineration waste ash onsite. Incineration waste ash contains a range of hazardous materials, including heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium etc.) and forever chemicals (PFAS, dioxins, furans etc.). Veolia currently manages a bioreactor landfill onsite at Woodlawn which has a 20 year history of environmental mis-management. Members of our association are extremely concerned about the proposed incinerator and the impact this may have on our family’s health, the health of our livestock, soil health and water security.