Bulla site for toxic Westgate tunnel soil slammed by Hume Council

Anger is building after the selection of a tip in Melbourne’s north to take toxic soil from the Westgate Tunnel Project.

A mound of soil from the Westgate tunnel project covered in black tarp. Picture Jay Town

The selection of a Bulla tip as the dumping site of toxic soil from the Westgate Tunnel project has been slammed by Hume City Council.

Hume Mayor Joseph Haweil said the council was dismayed the tip had been selected by the company behind the project, John Holland and CPB.

Mr Haweil said that the council had received no advance notice of the decision and did not support it.

The Herald Sun reported on Thursday that John Holland and CPB had selected Hi Quality tip on Sunbury Rd

The project had been effectively stalled for the past 18 months due to a dispute over what to do with soil from the project contaminated by industrial chemicals and waste such as PFAS. 

Mr Haweil did not limit his criticisms to John Holland and CPB, saying the state government had also failed to listen to community concerns.

“The Victorian Government now needs to detail what immediate funding measures it will take to address the infrastructure requirements of a region that is already buckling under the pressure of major residential growth”. Mr Haweil said.

The council commenced legal action in May 2021 with the goal of challenging the Minister for Planning’s decision to amend the Hume Planning Scheme and Mr Haweil said that the council was exploring all of its legal options.