Bacchus Marsh school concerned about proposal to store toxic soil nearby
Pressure is mounting on the Andrews government to calm community fears in Melbourne’s west, with a local school lashing out at a plans to store spoil from the West Gate Tunnel nearby.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Pressure is mounting on the Andrews government to calm community fears over toxic soil in Melbourne’s west, with a Bacchus Marsh school lashing out at proposal to store spoil from the West Gate Tunnel nearby.
It comes as another local Labor MP has moved to ease concerns from constituents about a backup plan to keep the spoil in Wyndham Vale.
Authorities are still working to find a storage solution to the toxic soil problem that has delayed digging for the West Gate Tunnel.
Maddingley Brown Coal is understood to be the most likely location for the dirt, which has been contaminated by industrial chemical PFAS, as negotiations continue.
But the idea has triggered a backlash from parents who worry that nearby Bacchus Marsh Grammar is too close to the site.
Principal Andrew Neal said the school wanted more transparency over the process.
“The proposal as it stands, and was put to us today, is that untreated soil would be 500m to 800m from the back fence of the school,” he said.
“We find that unacceptable … I’d love to talk to a minister about it.”
When quizzed about the issue in parliament on Thursday, Education Minister James Merlino said the government would continue to speak to the community.
“Decisions have not been made,” he said.
“The Minister for Transport Infrastructure met with the council a couple of weeks ago.
“I am more than happy to meet with the principal of Bacchus Marsh Grammar to discuss these matters.”
Opposition education spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said Transurban was being prioritised over the student health.
“Labor is once again treating Bacchus Marsh as the dumping ground for their toxic stuff-ups,” she said.
Residents in Wyndham Vale have also railed against the state government after learning new train stabling yarns in the area could be used as a back-up location for some spoil.
Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said she had raised community concerns with Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan.
“The Minister has made it clear to Transurban and its builder that any decisions they make about the soil storage must meet the expectations of our community,” she said.
MORE NEWS:
CASEY PROBE HEARS OF ‘STRONGARM’ TACTICS
WHY VICTORIANS CAN’T ESCAPE CRIPPLING POWER BILLS