Residents expressed years of stress and fear during a Land and Environment Court hearing for RePoly's proposed plastics recycling plant in Moss Vale, NSW.
Approximately 150 attendees faced challenging weather conditions, including 70 km/h winds and temperatures around 14°C, which felt like 8°C. RePoly director Nancy Zheng observed the proceedings led by Commissioner Joanne Gray.
Doctors for the Environment Australia member and local doctor Dr Jacqueline Duc highlighted the psychological toll on the community.
"Parents, grandparents, children, concerned if not terrified … the exhaustion and stress over five years cannot be underestimated," she said.
"Just because we can does not mean we should."