Community submissions on a proposed soil washing facility planned for Sunbury Road have overwhelmingly given the proposal the thumbs down.
As reported in the Star Weekly, Australian Recycling Corporation has submitted a development licence application to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) to construct a soil washing facility at 500 Sunbury Road, Bulla, the site of the Bulla Tip.
According to the application, the facility will process 230,000-250,000 tonnes of soil annually. The process will remediate category C and D reportable priority waste soil, with the end soil product being returned to the site of origin or reused in construction projects.
Category C contains contaminants, while category D covers the least hazardous soils.
Community members were able have their say on the proposal until July 9, with the results now released.
Of the 171 submissions, 167 people objected to the proposal, one supported the facility subject to conditions, and three supported the proposal.
The submissions detail strong community objection to the proposal, especially from Sunbury residents.
Many submitters were concerned about air emissions, odour emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, groundwater impacts, human health impacts, waste management practices, and monitoring and reporting of emissions.
Submitters were also concerned about the effects on waterways like nearby Deep Creek and Emu Bottom Creek.
Others were concerned with the site’s proximity to a number of housing developments along Sunbury Road.
ARC intends to broaden its waste management and recycling capabilities at the site through this soil washing facility.
It said in its application it will treat soils with contaminants listed in tables two and three of the EPA’s Waste Disposal Categories: Characteristics and Thresholds.
It will not treat soil contaminated with asbestos or germicides, as well as other toxic substances.
The use of contaminated soil washing will allow for low level contaminated soils to transform into products that can be reused, diverting from landfills.
The assessment of the application is now underway by the EPA. A decision is expected late this year.
Details: engage.vic.gov.au/Australian-Recycling-Corporation-Pty-Ltd-APP043677
