Accusations are escalating as a court hearing approaches regarding a proposed plastic recycling factory in Moss Vale, located in New South Wales' Southern Highlands. Earlier this year, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) rejected the project by RePoly, previously known as Plasrefine. The IPC's decision is now under appeal in the Land and Environment Court.

In its first public statement since the project's inception five years ago, RePoly accused a small group of spreading misinformation and inciting fear among local residents. "Unfortunately, a small group has been spreading misinformation and creating unnecessary fear among local residents," a company spokesperson stated. "This has misled the public and caused reputational harm to our company. However, we are encouraged that many residents now understand the facts and have expressed support for the project."

RePoly characterized the project as "entirely reasonable, lawful, and compliant with all relevant planning requirements."

The appeal has drawn four respondents: the IPC, the Garvan Institute, which operates a medical research facility adjacent to the proposed site, and two community members—councilor Rachel Russell and Southern Highlands Matters (SHM) chair Sam Wood. RePoly's statement specifically criticized the SHM community group, which has countered the claims by asserting its commitment to factual engagement with the community. "We are committed to a fact-based engagement with the community, allowing residents to fully understand for themselves the complete set of risks to health, amenity, and environment that RePoly threatens," SHM stated.

On Wednesday, SHM launched its "Reject RePoly" campaign and fundraising drive, which attracted around 60 attendees. Wood expressed her intention to represent SHM and the community in the appeal, emphasizing the need to raise awareness about the process. "I really do think there's strong opposition, but we're still in the process of getting the word out there about the Land and Environment appeal," she said. "It's a very different process than the community went through with the IPC meetings, so I think they're still understanding what that means."

Wood also welcomed the Garvan Institute's involvement in the case, stating, "I am delighted. As far as I'm concerned, there are great respondents in the case — the more the merrier."

The Garvan Institute's facility, known locally as the "mouse house," breeds genetically modified mice for medical research. Its legal representatives have raised concerns that construction noise, vibrations, and emissions could lead to significant losses.

The appeal will include a hearing at the proposed factory site later this month, where the court will inspect the location and evaluate evidence regarding the project's potential impacts.