By Tate Papworth
Keilor residents have expressed concern that construction work at Melbourne Airport could spread PFAS-contaminated soil.
The airport is constructing a $300 million “taxiway Zulu” which will provide additional space for aircraft traffic.
A number of residents recently saw a long line of trucks making their way down Arundel Road and expressed concerns that they were spreading PFAS-contaminated soil beyond the airport’s boundaries.
Melbourne Airport spokesman Grant Smith said the trucks were forced onto Arundel Road due to weather conditions and were not carrying contaminated soil.
“Last week’s hazy weather had the airport operating in low-visibility conditions, which means construction activity on the airport is put on hold until conditions clear,” Mr Smith said.
“The long line of trucks on Arundel Road was unfortunately due to those vehicles not being allowed onto the airfield in low visibility weather conditions, which resulted in the traffic jam nearby residents will have noticed.
“Those trucks are being used to move soil between construction projects on the airfield, one of which is to build a new access road at the northern end of the airport so that we can remove this kind of truck traffic from residential streets around the airport.”
He said all trucks leaving the airport were subjected to a decontamination process.
“When soil contaminated with PFAS is removed from the airport for disposal it is done under strict conditions and only with approval from the EPA.”
Keilor resident Matt Nemet said more communication was required.
“The biggest concern for the community is the lack of consultation,” Mr Nemet said.
“If you’re moving a hazardous chemical that could contaminate the area, we need to know.
“We’ve already had contamination in the rivers and the river is stuffed. “We’re just after transparency and to be clear about what’s being done.”
