Elsie Lange and Oliver Lees
The Department of Transport has approved a controversial traffic management plan to allow more than 420 trucks a day carrying contaminated soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project to Hi-Quality Group’s soil treatment facility in Bulla on Sunbury Road.
According to the traffic management plan, prepared by Hi-Quality Group, trucks will take soil from the tunnel project through Footscray to CityLink, via Whitehall Street, Moreland Street, Footscray Road, over the Shepherd Bridge and onto CityLink.
“Beyond Citylink, the preferred haulage route continues along Tullamarine Freeway to Sunbury Road/Bulla Road,” the traffic management plan said.
A number of issues have been raised by Hume council and residents about the route to transport the contaminated soil, which includes the use of the already-congested, heritage listed Bulla Bridge.
In a statement to Star Weekly in October last year, a Hi-Quality spokesperson said the selected traffic routes were based on key criteria.
“To minimise travel time and distance; utilising approved arterial roads (with B-Double capacity) as assessed and agreed with VicRoads; avoiding routes that include travel through residential areas or sensitive receptors where possible; and avoiding anticipated work zones,” the Hi-Quality spokesperson said.
Hume council has launched legal action against Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s decision to grant permission for the testing and disposal of contaminated soil at the Bulla site, with legal proceedings to begin on Wednesday, February 23.
In a statement last Thursday, Hume mayor Carly Moore said the decision to approve the transport of contaminated soil from the tunnel project to the processing facility has “devastated” the community.
“Over recent months, we have continued to raise with the Victorian Government the concerns of both council and the community the impact this decision will have, including on local roads that are already under significant stress,” Cr Moore said.
“The Supreme Court hearing is the community’s opportunity for the court to determine the legality of the minister’s decision.”
Comments on a post in the Sunbury AGAINST Toxic Soil Facebook group highlight community sentiment towards the traffic management plan’s approval.
“The public needs to have a say in this important traffic issue,” one resident said.
“Say goodbye to the heritage listed bridge,” another said.
