EPA approves third site for handling West Gate Tunnel toxic soil
A third landfill site has been given environmental approval to handle the toxic soil that has delayed the West Gate Tunnel project.
Victoria
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A third landfill site has been given environmental approval to handle the toxic soil that has delayed the West Gate Tunnel project.
Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority on Monday ticked off an application by Cleanaway to handle contaminated dirt dug up by the $6.7 billion project’s tunnel boring machines at its Ravenhall site.
The decision means Environment Management Plans (EMPs) have been approved by the EPA for three sites, with Maddingley Brown Coal and Hi Quality in Bulla cleared in September.
But all three locations are yet to receive planning approval from the state government and must all bid for the work from the builders working to deliver the project.
It comes as the Transurban and the consortium working on site have become increasingly confident the two massive tunnel boring machines could be up and running by early 2021.
EPA executive director of regulatory standards, Tim Eaton, said the application process would help ensure local communities were protected.
“Each of the EMPs has been rigorously reviewed and approved on the basis they meet strict conditions designed to protect human health and the environment,” he said.
The EPA will monitor the handling of the toxic soil at all three sites throughout the whole process.
Maddingley Brown Coal also received approval to adjust its proposal, bringing it line with the two sites for how much soil can be stored.
The expected completion date of the West Gate Tunnel was pushed back by a year to 2023 after an ongoing dispute about the handling of soil contaminated by industrial chemical PFAS.
Issues with storing the soil sparked major delays and fears of cost blowouts, with workers laid off as the saga rolled on.
CPB and John Holland, who are building the project, have also threatened to tear up their contract with Transurban, with both sides currently in mediation.
Originally published as EPA approves third site for handling West Gate Tunnel toxic soil