Ewen McRae
Victoria’s upper house has voted to oppose the dumping of contaminated soil near Bacchus Marsh.
A motion to oppose the soil dump from Liberal MP David Davis was introduced to the chamber on March 18, and received support from all opposition and cross bench members to win the vote 19 to 15.
All Labor Party MPs in the house voted against the motion.
“I know that this is an issue that is so close to the heart of many people in Bacchus Marsh,” Mr Davis said.
“For a series of reasons this (proposal) is completely unacceptable. It is very close to the town, it is very close to schools… and it is important for people to understand that this site is very near to significant agriculture.
“The risk of contamination is considerable.”
The motion also stated that “proper community consultation and a full environmental assessment has not been undertaken by the West Gate Tunnel Authority, Transurban or other entities associated with the project” and also “that the site of the proposed dump site, near Bacchus Marsh Grammar School and the town centre, makes it inappropriate to foist the transport and dumping of the contaminated soil on the Bacchus Marsh community.”
The Maddingley Brown Coal tender for storing the soil is currently with Transurban, who are yet to decide on their preferred site for the soil.
Ewen McRae
