Benjamin Millar
By Benjamin Millar
The state opposition has accused the government of “scandalous” attempts to pressure the state’s environmental watchdog to cut corners in its approvals for the dumping of toxic soil from the $6.8 billion West Gate Tunnel.
Star Weekly last month reported that Melton and Moorabool councils are demanding an urgent review of the state government’s approval for soil riddled with PFAS and asbestos to be dumped in Ravenhall and Bacchus Marsh after the Environment Protection Authority admitted it may have lacked the legal grounds to sign off on the plans earlier in the year.
The state opposition has also slammed the process, arguing that documents revealed following a Freedom of Information request show pressure was applied to the independent regulator to rush through the approvals.
An August 2019 email from a senior staff member of Lily D’Ambrosio’s ministerial office to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning secretary John Bradley and now former EPA chief Cathy Wilkinson referred to “options available for streamlined/expedited process to assist soil to be received at [REDACTED] site… Secretary, DPC to lead discussions on a resolution/pathway forward.”
Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Davis said the emails are “extraordinary evidence” of attempts by senior Labor ministers to bully and pressure the EPA into cutting corners and expediting the process.
Mr Davis said the emails clearly demonstrate the government crossing the line into “outright political manipulation”.
“This is a disgraceful attempt to override proper environmental processes, putting at risk the safety of the community and the environment,” he said.
Opposition environment spokeswoman Bridget Vallence said the documents make clear the government is interfering in the processes of the environmental regulator.
“The community cannot trust the Andrews Labor government or the EPA to keep Victoria’s environment safe,” she said.
“It’s now clear the Andrews Labor government cares more about looking after big foreign-owned corporates on Labor’s botched tunnel projects, rather than the communities which are fighting to stop toxic soil being dumped next to homes and a school.”
The EPA and state government did not respond by time of publication.
