The Minister for Energy told Parliament last week that while waste-to-energy projects were appealing as a means to deal with the city's landfill problems, he was convinced by arguments that the proposed site in Maddington was inappropriate.

"I am not satisfied the Maddington is an acceptable location for a SWERF plant and I will not facilitate its establishment there by approving a power purchase contract with Western Power," Mr Ripper said.

The local community, led by Rolystone MLA Mr Martin Whitely, argued the plants produced dioxins and other noxious emissions and with seven schools within 2km of the waste incinerators, it was an inappropriate location.

Earlier this year, Western Power and Brightstar Environmental, which is a subsidiary of Energy Development, signed an agreement to develop projects using SWERF technology in the Perth region.