Landfill sites in Maddingley, Ravenhall get approval to handle toxic tunnel soil

The West Gate Tunnel toxic dirt saga is set to be resolved within months, with a pair of dumping sites finally found in Melbourne’s outer west.

A pair of landfill sites in Melbourne’s west have been given state government approval to handle the toxic dirt that has delayed the West Gate Tunnel, paving the way for the contaminated soil saga to be resolved within months.

The Herald Sun understands Maddingley Brown Coal and Cleanaway in Ravenhall have had their applications to Planning Minister Richard Wynne approved and further details will be announced late Wednesday.

The two sites have already been signed off by the Environment Protection Authority, with the final step for both companies to secure a work contract with the builders delivering the $6.8 billion project.

Hi-Quality in Bulla has received EPA approval to handle the soil, contaminated with PFAS and asbestos, but has not yet received the planning permits required.

It comes after the Herald Sun revealed workers were being recruited back to the West Gate Tunnel site after months of lay-offs in a sign that two massive tunnel boring machines, currently laying idle, could begin digging by the middle of next year.

Work on the West Gate Tunnel project near the West Gate Freeway. Picture: Jason Edwards

The long-running contaminated soil saga has created major issues over the past 18 months, with Transurban this year changing the completion date of the project from 2022 to 2023.

John Holland and CPB Builders, the consortium tasked with deliver the tunnel and roads system, has also been fighting with the tolling company to rip its contract and renegotiate

Significant cost blowouts are expected as the dispute has resulted in job losses and delays.

The Andrews Government has maintained that any overruns are the responsibility of Transurban and the builders.

“The West Gate Tunnel Project is a vital project for our state and we need it to support jobs and Victoria’s economy now more than ever,” a government spokeswoman said.

“This decision was made after consideration of all relevant matters under the planning legislation, consultation with councils and stakeholder feedback.

“This is one step in a process – it is the builder’s tender process that will ultimately determine where the soil goes.”

The approval for Maddingley Brown Coal is expected to spark a strong reaction from community groups and the council in Bacchus Marsh, who have spent months campaigning against the site receiving the toxic spoil.

Moorabool Shire Council on Monday flagged the possibility for legal action against the decision.

“We’re not surprised but we’re extremely disappointed with today’s decision,” chief executive Derek Madden said.

“It’s our view that the process for considering the application has been flawed as there has not been adequate consultation for a project of this nature, particularly with impacted councils and the community.

“The whole way through this, council was left in the dark and effectively shut-out of the planning decision process, as the Minister called the project in to make the decision.

“This means the decision was made without any decent consultation with our community, which is a slap in the face to our Bacchus Marsh residents.”

Maddingley Brown Coal has maintained it consulted widely with the community over the past nine months, including public information sessions.

In documents released as part of the process, Mr Wynne said he had received complaints about the proposal but there was evidence to suggest the company had consulted with the community.

“A large number of the community and stakeholders have written to me opposing the proposed amendment and I have considered their comments,” he wrote.

Mr Wynne said he had sought the views of the council in May this year, with draft conditions provided to the government on July 20 and September 16.

“These comments and information provided by the council were considered, and the form of the Amendment adapted in response,” he wrote.

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Originally published as Landfill sites in Maddingley, Ravenhall get approval to handle toxic tunnel soil