By Oliver Lees
Hume council’s Supreme Court challenge of Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s decision to grant permission for the testing and disposal of contaminated soil at a site in Bulla will begin on Wednesday, February 23.
The court challenge follows a decision made by council at a meeting held in April 2021.
At the meeting, Hume councillors voted unanimously to have the council’s lawyers initiate legal proceedings against the Planning Minister’s decision, which could allow the relocation of three million tonnes of spoil from the West Gate Tunnel project to Hi-Quality’s site on Sunbury Road.
The planning minister’s decision sparked major frustration and sadness from Sunbury and Bulla residents.
In May 2021, hundreds of locals filled the Village Green in Sunbury, many wearing ‘No Toxic Soil in Sunbury’ T-shirts and others carrying picket signs, to demonstrate their objection to the development.
These concerns included the potential environmental impact of bringing large amounts of contaminated material into town, as well as the run-on impacts that the high volume of trucks will have on traffic in Sunbury Road.
Hume council mayor Carly Moore said council stood with the community in its opposition to the state government’s choice of location.
“The Minister for Planning’s decision to approve an application that facilitates the transfer of toxic spoil from the West Gate Tunnel Project to the Hi-Quality facility in Bulla has devastated our community,” Cr Moore said.
“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.
“The Supreme Court hearing is the community’s opportunity for the court to determine the legality of the Minister’s decision.”
Members of the public can view the online hearing by emailing the Supreme Court Registry before the first hearing date.
For further information on this process, visit the Hume council website.
Details: hume.vic.gov.au/news.
