By Jessica Micallef
Toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel project is not wanted in Sunbury and local residents are determined to make their message heard.
Sunbury resident Chris O’Neill has created a Facebook group, Sunbury Against Toxic Soil, with an aim to make more residents aware of a proposal by waste management and recycling company Hi-Quality to treat and “safely” dispose of soil excavated from the tunnel project at the Sunbury Eco-Hub on Sunbury Road.
More than 800 people have joined the group since it was started five weeks ago.
“I think they [Hi-Quality] are sweeping it under, what I am calling, the COVID-19 rug,” Mr O’Neill said.
“A lot of people I have spoken to didn’t even know what was going on.”
Mr O’Neill said a majority of the group’s members were against sending toxic soil Sunbury’s way.
“It’s a fairly negative feeling,” he said.
“But it’s also very positive in us doing something.
“There are two sides to it – people are very for us to help try and get this information out and then we are very against the proposal.”
In a world where large gatherings of people are banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr O’Neil said residents and group members were limited in trying to spread awareness and stop the proposal being approved.
However, group members have created and delivered flyers to Sunbury residents, calling on the community to reach out to politicians.
“I am not putting the flyers out there as a self-promotion for the group,” Mr O’Neill said.
“I am putting the flyers out there so residents can email and call their politicians and ask them the question – ‘what are you doing for our community?’
“We are also going to petition through the Upper House to block any proposals by Transurban and Hi-Quality for the pure reason that what they are doing is to save money.
“It is cheaper to dump it [soil] in a landfill in Bulla and Maddingley, than it is to treat it and dispose of it ethically.”
Sunbury MP Josh Bull said he had been advised by the EPA that groundwater tests along the West Gate Tunnel showed “very low” levels of PFAS.
“The EPA is taking a precautionary approach and is requiring that further testing be undertaken,” he said.
“Despite these assurances from the EPA, I have still raised the communities concerns abut the proximity of future homes, businesses, waterways and the potential transport corridor associated with such a proposal.
“It is my job as the local MP to ensure that the community’s voice is heard by Transurban and CPB John Holland as they consider this proposal.”
A decision is yet to be made on Hi-Quality’s proposal.
