By Oliver Lees
Sunbury residents have taken their concerns about toxic soil to the steps of Parliament.
Last week as the state budget was being announced, hundreds of people carrying picket signs protested the proposed relocation of contaminated soil to sites in Bulla and Bacchus Marsh.
Sunbury Against Toxic Soil Facebook administrator Chris O’Neill said it was a positive turnout of about 300 to 400 people from two groups with similar concerns.
“There was a feeling of passion and anger,” Mr O’Neill said.
“We [Sunbury and Bacchus Marsh residents] have a united approach and similar concerns, so it was great to see so many passionate people.
“For all of us it’s about the trucks, the contamination and the potential damage to the environment, so it felt very co-ordinated.”
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved plans for the relocation of spoil from the West Gate Tunnel Project to one or more of three potential sites: Maddingley Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh, Hi-Quality in Sunbury and Cleanaway in Ravenhall.
Last month Hume council instructed its lawyers to initiate legal proceedings to review the decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne, that could see testing and disposal of spoil from the tunnel project at a site on Sunbury Road.
The Moorabool Environmental Group has launched a similar suit in Bacchus Marsh.
The decision as to which site, or sites, will be selected for the soil relocation and treatment project is expected later this year.
Mr O’Neill said the protest had fulfilled its aim.
“We sent a very loud and clear message to all local members of Parliament, that we’re not going to take this lying down and we will make as much noise as we can.”
