Rock set for West Gate Tunnel bridge falls into Moonee Ponds Creek
A giant pile of rubble intended for the West Gate Tunnel has fallen into Moonee Ponds Creek. It’s just the latest blow to trouble the plagued road project.
North West
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Crushed rock set to be used on the West Gate Tunnel Project has taken a detour – into Moonee Ponds Creek.
The clean fill, intended to make new ramps to connect the tunnel and elevated Footscray Rd to Dynon Rd, was placed on the banks of the creek last week.
But before the rock could be used, the bank collapsed and the rock tumbled into the creek.
A barrier has been used in the creek to prevent the rubble from travelling further.
Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek president Peter Scully said the contamination was nothing less than disastrous.
“It puts the waterway under huge threat,” he said.
Mr Scully said you never knew what other contaminants and chemicals could be mixed up in the rock.
“It looks like crushed broken rock but there could be any other chemicals in there floating around in it, like fuel,” he said.
West Gate Tunnel Authority deputy director communications Kim Payne said the EPA was immediately notified after the incident occurred.
“The project’s builder is reviewing their construction methodology to ensure the creek is protected as much as possible,” she said.
A longer term solution to manage the rock and soil will be sought out before tunnelling starts.
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Melbourne Water’s Acting North West regional manager Jesse Barrett said they were aware of the spillage.
“A silt screen was put in place to manage any fine material being washed away downstream,” he said.
“Melbourne Water is working with the West Gate Tunnel Project to remove the clean fill as soon as possible.”
An EPA spokesman, who refused to be named, said members of the public were encouraged to report pollution to the EPA 24 hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC.
They did not answer questions about how or when the spill would be cleaned up, and whether The West Gate Tunnel Project would be fined.