By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury and Bulla residents are a step closer to having toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project dumped in their backyard.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) approved waste management and recycling company Hi-Quality’s second Environment Management Plan (EMP) earlier this month. The decision paves the way for Hi-Quality to receive PFAS and asbestos-contaminated soil at the Sunbury Eco-Hub on Sunbury Road in Bulla.
The company’s original EMP was approved in September. However, Hi-Quality was invited by the EPA to resubmit an EMP in December, after a legal review into the regulator’s process resulted in all tenderers’ EMP approvals being revoked.
The EPA assessed the new plan for potential environmental impacts, such as runoff, odour and potential land, surface water and ground water risks and considered that there were appropriate measures detailed in the plan to keep the environment and the community safe.
EPA chief executive Lee Miezis said the health and the local environment and community was EPA’s highest priority.
“We put the health of the environment and community first,” he said.
“We will have a rigorous approach to ensure all safety measures are followed.”
A Hi-Quality spokesperson said the latest EMP was developed under the new regulations for the management and disposal of the soil excavated by the tunnel boring machines on the West Gate Tunnel Project.
“Hi-Quality developed its EMP with a commitment to upholding the highest environmental standards,” the spokesperson said.
“While this is an important step in the process, Hi-Quality requires approval from the Minister for Planning of its Planning Scheme Amendment application, and the competitive tender process run by CPB John Holland for the contract is still underway.”
Melton council and the Moorabool Environment Group have launched legal action in the Supreme Court against the state government’s approval for the soil being dumped in Ravenhall and Bacchus Marsh.
The EPA said it will continue to monitor the treatment and containment of the soil to ensure it meets “rigorous” public health and environmental standards.
