By Tate Papworth
Brimbank and Melton councils have told the state government to look away from the west when it comes to finding a place to store contaminated soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project.
In a joint letter, the councils have sought a commitment from the state government and West Gate Tunnel contractors to seek other locations, and alternative waste treatment options, away from Melbourne’s west.
Chief concern for the council is that contaminated soil may end up at the Ravenhall tip, which is located within the boundaries of the Melton council, with major road and transport access from metropolitan Melbourne via Brimbank.
“The expansion of the Metropolitan Regional Landfill, combined with the potential for West Gate Tunnel spoil to be potentially transported there, would see a dramatic increase in waste vehicles travelling across Brimbank and Melton, impacting our cities and the wider west for years to come,” Cr Papafotiou said.
“Communities in the west have already received an unfair burden of landfill and contaminated waste.
“Current contamination issues for some properties abutting Sunshine landfills is an example of how past waste disposal decisions can impact future residents and businesses.
“We’ve borne the brunt of past poor practices and will continue to deal with these legacy issues for years to come.”
