By Ewen McRae
Melton council has formally urged the planning minister to consult the community before making a decision on an application that would help facilitate Cleanaway’s bid to accept the contaminated West Gate Tunnel soil at its Ravenhall facility.
It came as council’s joint campaign with Brimbank council reached a milestone of more than 2000 community supporters.
Council’s request was part of an official submission to the minister on Cleanaway’s application for a planning scheme amendment to expand its Ravenhall landfill with a soil management and reuse facility.
If approved, the amendment would remove the need to consult the public on the proposal.
Both council’s have expressed concerns over the permanent nature of the proposed facility, with Melton council also calling for it to be decommissioned once it is no longer required to facilitate the West Gate Tunnel Project.
Melton chief executive Kelvin Tori said the community deserved to have their say on a proposal that would have a lasting impact.
“The impact of this facility going ahead would be long-lasting and our community should not be denied the opportunity to have their concerns heard,” Mr Tori said.
“What’s proposed here is not just a facility to process the West Gate Tunnel soil, but a permanent facility that would be able to accept other contaminated soil projects indefinitely.
“As proposed, it has the potential to hinder planning for residential and commercial growth in the surrounding area, and negatively impact amenity and safety for people who live and work nearby.
“Compliance issues with the existing facility have also raised alarm, and added to concern over environmental impacts.
“We are strongly opposed to Cleanaway’s proposal and we hope the planning minister will consider the issues council has outlined in response to this proposal.”
The council submission outlined several reasons why it would be inappropriate for the minister to approve the planning scheme amendment, including the scale of the proposed expansion, off-site amenity impacts, ability to operate indefinitely, and lack of community consultation.
The planning minister will now consider council’s submission in making a decision on Cleanaway’s application.
