City of Melton Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik has expressed serious concern and extreme disappointment over a Victorian Government decision that could help Ravenhall landfill become the dumping ground for the contaminated West Gate Tunnel soil.
The State Government today announced it had approved Cleanaway’s Planning Scheme Amendment for Melbourne Regional Landfill in Ravenhall – one of three sites vying to accept the soil from the West Gate Tunnel project.
Although a decision on where the West Gate Tunnel soil will go is yet to be made, this approval means Cleanaway can construct a soil management and reuse facility specifically to accept and process contaminated soil.
“I’m absolutely shocked that the State Government thinks a proposal like this is appropriate. We’re talking about toxic soil and hundreds of truck movements every day in an area where families live and work,” Cr Majdlik said.
“This approval has not taken into account community or council feedback and I’m deeply concerned and disappointed about the consequences of this decision.
“It’s a significant step in the process, we’re talking about a permanent facility that would be able to accept contaminated soil projects indefinitely. This is outrageous and our residents do not deserve this. Council advocated extremely hard to stop the Ravenhall tip expansion and now the site is being considered to be a dumping ground for toxic soil, it’s absolutely appalling.
“The west is not a dumping ground for toxic waste and our residents deserve better.
“If you object to this plan, I’d urge you to sign the Stop the Soil petition, and contact your local State Government MP and the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne to voice your concerns about this proposal. They must be made aware of how outraged our residents are that such a proposal could even be considered so close to residential houses, before it’s too late. They must listen to their constituents, they must stop this from happening in our backyard.”
Cleanaway will now await a decision from the contractor Transurban, to learn whether Ravenhall is the preferred site for the West Gate Tunnel soil.
Maddingley Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh and Hi-Quality in Bulla are also seeking the tender to accept the soil. Maddingley Brown Coal today received approval of its Planning Scheme Amendment while Hi-Quality’s is awaiting approval.
Anyone opposed to toxic soil being dumped in Ravenhall is encouraged to sign the petition at stopthesoil.com.au and contact their local MP and the Minister for Planning directly.
