TOXIC SOIL - IT’S NOT WELCOME IN BACCHUS MARSH
Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur spoke at a public meeting in front of hundreds of Bacchus Marsh residents last night, in opposition to the Labor Government’s consideration of dumping toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel project in their community.
The site under consideration, Maddingley Brown Coal, sits beside Parwan Creek, which flows into the Werribee River, which provides irrigation water for Bacchus Marsh and Werribee. Large residential areas are nearby. Two schools and nursing homes are in close proximity.
There is also legitimate concern and genuine concern regarding the impact toxic soil and leeching into waterways, could have on the significant food production in the area.
The soil from the West Gate Tunnel project is contaminated with PFAS chemicals, the same chemicals that lead to the closure of Western Victoria’s CFA training college in Fiskville in 2015.
In their 2017 submission to the West Gate Tunnel Project environment effects statement Environment Protection Authority Victoria recommended that the project address the management, treatment and disposal of PFAS-contaminated groundwater and land.
Bev McArthur told the audience, “It is extraordinary that any contract would have been signed without proper recognition of what was going to happen to the contaminated soil that was known to exist.”
“It’s appalling that we could have a situation where water could be contaminated. This is a famous and vitally important food bowl that feeds the people of Melbourne and beyond.”
“It’s very poor form that Transurban couldn’t turn up tonight. Having a pop-up shop somewhere on a street is no substitute for being here and answering your questions.”
“You have my commitment that I will do my best to make sure that this contaminated soil does not come to Bacchus Marsh,” she concluded.
26 February 2020
