Tate Papworth
The Brimbank and Melton councils have stepped up their efforts to prevent contaminated soil from the Westgate Tunnel project being
dumped at Melbourne Regional Landfill in Ravenhall.
The landfill’s operator, Cleanaway, is currently seeking planning approval from the Planning Minister to construct a soil management and reuse facility (SMRF) to store soil.
But the two councils are calling on the Victorian Government and Transurban to reject Cleanaway’s bid.
Melton mayor Lara Carli said the council has opposed the proposal to dump the spoil in Ravenhall in the interests of nearby families and future investment and jobs opportunities for locals.
“Although we fully appreciate that the Westgate Tunnel Project will reduce congestion and increase productivity, Ravenhall is not an appropriate site for contaminated soil to be located,” Cr Carli said.
“The site is adjacent to established residential suburbs in a significant growth area. The neighbouring Rockbank / Mount Cottrell area has the second fastest growth rate in Victoria at 37 per cent, while Caroline Springs, Burnside, Albanvale, and Deer Park are home to well-established communities.
The Brimbank council is also strongly opposed to the bid and has thrown it’s weight behind Melton’s opposition.
Brimbank mayor Georgina Papafotiou said two voices are stronger than one.
“The construction of this facility should not compromise the environment for our local communities in the years to come. It would be inappropriate to send contaminated soil to Ravenhall.
“There would be 460 additional truck movements every day on local roads. That’s a truck movement every three minutes, placing burden on existing and growing residential and commercial areas.
“Dumping contaminated soil at Ravenhall undermines the work that has already been undertaken in Brimbank and Melton by all levels of government, and should be considered in the context of employment, education and development opportunities for local communities.”
The councils are also requesting that the state government, Westgate Tunnel Authority, Transurban, John Holland and Cleanaway increase engagement with the community.
