Monsbent Pty Ltd

Overview

Applicant: Monsbent Pty Ltd

Activity site: 42 Benalla-Yarrawonga Road, Benalla 3672

Application number: APP004462

Monsbent Pty Ltd has applied for a development licence (APP004462) to install a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator to treat the air emissions from two woodchip dryers. The proposal also includes an associated 4MW Heat Plant to recover energy from collected solid waste at the D&R Henderson Benalla facility.

What does the application propose?

Monsbent Pty Ltd / D& R Henderson has been manufacturing particleboard at Benalla for over 30 years. Particleboard products are produced from timber scrap and residues, recycled wood materials and plantation Radiata Pine.

The development licence application is to divert air emissions from two existing woodchip dryers to a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP). This will remove contaminants from the gas stream by a combination of water scrubbing and electrostatic absorption to treat the air emissions. The WESP will produce solid waste, consisting of the particulate material it removes from the gas stream from the dryers. The solid waste will then be transferred to a 4 MW Heat Plant where it will be burnt as fuel, providing hot air to help heat the dryers.

Change in proposed activity scope

In April 2022, Monsbent amended its application to increase the size of the Heat Plant to 10 MW. This will mean significantly less fresh water will be needed for the process, all polluted water should be evaporated on-site and may also allow at least some of the natural gas being used to heat one of the dryers to be substituted for heat from the Heat Plant, which will be powered by solid wood waste, including the waste from the WESP.

Latest updates

Development licence issued

On 18 May 2022, a development licence was issued to Monsbent Pty Ltd under section 69(1)(a) of the Act. The development licence is subject to conditions. The application is proposed to be undertaken in a way that meets environmental standards.

EPA assessed the application against all requirements under section 69(3) of the Act.

If you object to the issuing of the Development Licence or its conditions, you may have the decision reviewed at VCAT by applying in writing within 15 business days of the date of issue to:

Registrar, Planning and Environment Division
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
7th Floor, 55 King Street, Melbourne

An application fee may be applicable when lodging an appeal with VCAT. Contact VCAT on 03 9628 9777 for further details on fees associated with an appeal.

A copy of the appeal should also be forwarded, within seven days of lodgement, to:

Manager, Approvals, Permissioning
Environment Protection Authority Victoria
GPO Box 4395, Melbourne 3001