West Gate Tunnel toxic soil dump sites approved, paving way for project progress

Work is set to ramp back up on the West Gate Tunnel, with the project’s contaminated dirt to be dumped in these locations.

All three sites bidding to solve the West Gate Tunnel’s toxic soil saga have now been approved in a potential breakthrough for the long-running drama.

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria on Friday confirmed it had ticked off Cleanaway’s proposal to handle PFAS-contaminated dirt at its site in Ravenhall.

Maddingley Brown Coal, near Bacchus Marsh and Hi-Quality Group in Bulla have already received approvals over the past two months.

The decision paves the way for project builders to sign contracts and ramp up work on the beleaguered project.

Two giant tunnel boring machines are idle in the ground at Yarraville because there has been no site licenced to handle the soil they will dig up.

Soil underneath plastic along Hyde St in Spotswood. Picture: Ian Currie

Transurban has told its investors the project is now likely to be finished in 2024, two years after the planned date of 2022.

But now that all bidding sites have planning and environmental approval, CPB and John Holland have three options on locations to send the dirt and get digging underway.

The process could also face a major legal hurdle, with Hume, Moorabool and Melton council all deciding to take Planning Minister Richard Wynne to the Supreme Court to rip up his approvals of the projects.

All three councils cover the landfill sites that have been bidding for work.

An EPA spokesman said Cleanaway had shown there were appropriate measures put in place in Ravenhall to keep the community safe.

Victorian Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne speaking at a press conference earlier this year. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

“The approval of an Environment Management Plan (EMP) does not mark the final decision on where the spoil will be sent,” he said.

“Transurban and its builder are responsible for that decision.

“This is the third EMP EPA has approved for this project and EPA does not expect there to be further applications.

“The health of the local community and environment is EPA’s highest priority. EPA will ensure a rigorous approach to compliance and all safety measures are followed.”

A government spokeswoman said the EPA had set strict requirements in the event that the Ravenhall site is chosen.

“The planning scheme amendment and EPA approvals are now in place – Transurban and its builder have no reason to not get on with the job and deliver the West Gate Tunnel,” she said.