Hope for West Gate Tunnel as site approved for toxic soil

Contaminated soil that has delayed the West Gate Tunnel may soon be able to be moved after an EPA approval.

Toxic soil delaying the troubled West Gate Tunnel may soon be able to be moved after a Bulla site received environmental approval.

The Environment Protection Authority on Friday announced it had approved a proposal submitted by Hi-Quality Group that would allow it to receive PFAS-contaminated soil to be dug up by massive tunnel boring machine sin Yarraville.

It comes after an initial bungle in which the EPA was forced to withdraw its approval for three landfill sites because of an error in the process.

The approval means Hi Quality Group must now receiving planning approval to receive the toxic soil and can then begin contract discussions with the consortium building the project.

This would the pave the way for twin tunnel boring machines to be turned on, with Transurban pushing the completion date back from 2022 to 2024.

“We put the health of the environment and community first - and will have a rigorous approach to ensure all safety measures are followed,” EPA chief executive Mr Miezis said.

The authority is still processing similar for two other sites, Maddingley Brown Coal and Cleanaway in Ravenhall.

Both landfills already have planning approval.

A Hi Quality Group spokeswoman said it had devised a plan with a committment to upholding environmental standards.

“While this is an important step in the process, Hi-Quality Group requires approval from the Minister for Planning of its Planning Scheme Amendment application, and the competitive tender process run by CPB John Holland for the contract is still under way.”

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