Tara Murray and Oliver Lees
Brimbank council fears the decision to dump soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) in Bulla will impact Keilor residents.
Transurban and builder CPB-John Holland confirmed last Thursday they had signed a contract to commence building the facility required to receive and treat the soil at the Hi-Quality site on Sunbury Road.
It was one of three potential destinations for the three million tonne soil relocation project, the others being Maddingley Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh and Cleanaway in Ravenhall.
Brimbank council had joined forced with Melton council on an advocacy campaign calling for the soil not to be stored in Ravenhall.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic said the Bulla site, in the neighbouring Hume municipality, wasn’t the ideal location either.
“Brimbank and Melbourne’s west have been disproportionately impacted by soil contamination, pollution, congestion and impacts on the natural environment.
“Brimbank council is concerned about plans for the Hi-Quality Group to expand their Bulla facility for the treatment, storage and disposal of PFAS impacted soil excavated from the West Gate Tunnel Project.
“We wrote to the minister expressing these concerns in 2020.
“The transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of West Gate Tunnel Project soils at the Hi-Quality site in Bulla may have impacts for residents in Brimbank and further expose our community to soil contaminants.”
Cr Rasic said it was imperative that more detail be provided on the community consultation process for communities potentially impacted by the transportation, processing and storage of West Gate Tunnel soil at the Hi-Quality site at Bulla.
She said any future work approval needs to provide the residents of Keilor with assurance they will not be impacted by the processing and storage of PFAS contaminated soils at Bulla.
Hume council had already launched legal proceedings in the Supreme Court to stop the soil being dumped in Bulla. A directions hearing will be held on July 27
Hume council mayor Joseph Haweil told Star Weekly he has never supported Hi-Quality as a location for the toxic soil.
“We’re very dismayed by this decision, we have opposed this project from day one,” Cr Haweil said.
“My understanding is that the legal process continues as planned, but we are still awaiting legal advice.”
Cr Haweil said council had received legal advice about applying for an injunction to prevent contracts being signed and was currently exploring legal options.
