By Ewen McRae
Moorabool council is calling for the area’s local heritage to be strongly considered when any decision is made about where to dump toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel project.
The council says the 281 elms that line the heritage-listed Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour would be subjected to hundreds of trucks using the avenue daily if Maddingley Brown Coal is given the green light to accept the soil.
The elms were planted in 1918 as a living memorial to those from the region who served in World War 1.
Council last week called on the planning minister, Richard Wynne, to consult with RSL Victoria, Heritage Victoria and the National Trust of Australia to ensure the avenue was protected.
Mayor David Edwards said the Avenue of Honour was of enormous significance to the town, region and Victoria, attracting many visitors to Bacchus Marsh.
“I am asking that the RSL, Heritage Victoria and the National Trust are consulted prior to any decision being made, to ensure the protection of the Avenue of Honour from truck movements every six minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Cr Edwards said.
“The Avenue of Honour was planted to commemorate locals who volunteered to serve in World War 1. As custodians, council must do everything we can to protect the amenity of this very special place.”
Maddingley Brown Coal is waiting on a decision from Mr Wynne on whether its planning permit can be amended to allow it to accept, process and store toxic soil from the tunnel project.r Wynne is currently considering the proposal from MBC, Sites in Hume and Ravenhall are also understood to be under consideration from West Gate Tunnel developer Transurban to store the soil.
