West Gate Distributor project up in the air as experts reveal site contamination

A LABOR pledge to build the West Gate truck ramps by 2018 is in doubt, with environmental experts warning the site could take years to decontaminate.

Truck diesel fumes affecting health of Western suburbs residents. A truck heads up Somerville Rd, Yarraville.

A LABOR pledge to build the West Gate truck ramps by 2018 is in doubt, with environmental experts warning the site could take years to decontaminate.

Environmental consultant Darren Bennetts said the land south of the Westgate, which has been used for bulk storage of fuel and oil for 87 years, was significantly contaminated and would take more than three years to remediate.

He has backed documents prepared by environmental agencies, and reported in the Herald Sun, that claim the area is contaminated with dangerous materials, including construction and demolition waste requiring extensive testing and clean-up work.

Meanwhile, the land to the north was a former tip and contains industrial and municipal waste.

The $500 million West Gate Distributor project would see on and off-ramps from the freeway to provide new access to the Port of Melbourne.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews had announced the project was “shovel-ready” with work to begin within six months of winning the November poll.

Mr Bennetts, who is a Friends of Stony Creek volunteer, said while they may be able to decontaminate the land quickly, it was ambitious, risky and would come at a considerable cost.

“Undoubtedly the environmental condition of the land where the road is proposed could be a major impediment to the project, both in terms of time and cost,” he said.

Mr Bennetts said if a remedial strategy hadn’t been developed, it was misleading to claim that the project was shovel-ready.

Murray Newton, spokesman for Mr Andrews, said Labor was standing by its commitment to fast-track the project.

But the State Government claims it isn’t ready and will require an extensive environmental effects statement and cultural heritage management plan, which could take at least 18 months.

AT A GLANCE:

■ The land to the south of the Westgate has been used for bulk storage of fuel and oil since 1927

■ Environmental experts believe it has significant soil and groundwater contamination issues

■ The land to the north was the Footscray municipal tip. It contains industrial and municipal waste

■ Saltwater marsh communities, mangroves and sea grass have been re-established at Stony Creek

■ Large sections have been classified as areas of cultural heritage sensitivity

■ The creek served as a source of food and water for the Boonwurrung people