Union demands release of Metro Tunnel soil test results
A union is demanding that test results on soil at the $11 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel be released after toxic soil caused chaos on the West Gate Tunnel project.
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A brawl over toxic soil is looming on a second major project in Victoria, with a union demanding test results at the $11 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel be released.
The industrial chemical PFAS, which has caused chaos on the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel, has also been found along the rail project that will connect South Yarra to Kensington via five underground stations.
It is understood the results have not caused alarm, and while some elevated levels around the Arden precinct in North Melbourne have been identified, the soil can be managed.
Soil already excavated has been safely dealt with under EPA guidelines.
But Australian Workers’ Union secretary Ben Davis has warned that unless the results are released publicly, there will remain a suspicion that project builders “have got something to hide”.
“We are concerned about levels of PFAS in the soil given what’s happened at West Gate Tunnel,” he said.
“I am not surprised that there would be levels of PFAS at Arden, that makes sense, but what I am concerned about is how high are the levels, and why can’t they tell us?
“There’s a point at which this will escalate to WorkSafe and the EPA, if they are not forthcoming.”
Rail Project Victoria chief executive Evan Tattersall said it was not uncommon for contamination to be found on big infrastructure projects.
“The Metro Tunnel Project follows strict protocols to identify and manage contaminated materials to look after the safety of workers, the community and the environment,” Mr Tattersall said.
On the West Gate Tunnel site, almost 140 workers have been stood down after toxic soil issues created delays that have left tunnel boring machines idle in the ground.
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The fresh PFAS drama comes as concerns have emerged of a cost dispute over the electricity needed to handle new High Capacity Metro Trains. The government’s fleet of longer trains requires more current to run on the network and upgrades on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines have catered for this change.
But sources close to the project have warned the power system planned for the Metro Tunnel has become a source of contention, with specifications in the original contract different from what the power-hungry trains require. State Opposition transport spokesman David Davis raised the issue in parliament last night.