By Jessica Micallef
Hume council has backed the Sunbury and Bulla community in a bid to try and stop a proposal to send toxic soil their way.
Councillors have labelled the process to find somewhere to dump the toxic soil “disengenuous“ and “ill-conceived“.
“No matter how significant the West Gate Tunnel project may be for the state government, and for those looking to access the city from the western suburbs, there is no excuse for shutting a community out for having a say on such a dangerous project,“ Cr Leigh Johnson said.
The council received a letter from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, on behalf of Planning Minister Richard Wynne, on July 29, seeking it’s views on a request to amend the Hume Planning Scheme to allow soil from the West Gate Tunnel project to be stored, tested and disposed of at the Sunbury Eco-Hub on Sunbury Road, Bulla.
Hi-Quality recycling services has requested the amendment be exempt from public exhibition and be considered by an independent planning panel.
The council was given until August 19 to respond, however councillors have requested an extension.
Cr Johnson said he objected to the “disingenuous process and ill-conceived“ proposal that was put before councillors.
“It is shocking that it is the Sunbury, Bulla and Wildwood communities that are being shut out as there is precious little benefit from the West Gate Tunnel project.
“I certainly thank the community [and] the No Toxic Soil Group for clearly raising their concerns about the proposal with myself and fellow councillors.“
On March 2, council wrote to Mr Wynne, seeking clarity as to whether there were plans to dump contaminated soil in Bulla.
Cr Ann Potter said the council did not receive a reply for more than three months.
“To me it’s … hypocrisy,“ she said.
“This is something major for our community and to be given three weeks to address all the issues is not good enough.
“A reasonable time is five to six weeks.“
All councillors objected to the use of the Hi-Quality site on Sunbury Road to handle soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project.
Cr Jodi Jackson said it was very clear to her that residents did not want the project to go ahead.
“I have heard from more than enough residents from Bulla and Sunbury that this is not in the best interest of the community,“ she said.
“They want, and have the right, to feel safe in their homes.“
