Ewen McRae
Maddingley Brown Coal’s plans to store and process contaminated soil from the Westgate Tunnel Project is a step closer, after the state environment watchdog ticked off on the site.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has approved Environment Management Plans for the MBC site, as well as Hi Quality in Bulla.
Both sites now need separate approvals from the state planning minister.
In a statement on September 1, the EPA said it assessed the plans for potential environmental impacts, such as run-off, odour, and potential land, surface water and groundwater risks.
EPA executive director of regulatory standards, assessments and permissioning, Tim Eaton, said the sites would continue to be monitored.
“These EMPs will ensure the health of the local community and the environment is protected,” Mr Eaton said.
“EPA will closely monitor these sites to make sure that they are complying with their EMP and best practice safety measures to protect the local community and environment.”
The EPA is yet to make a decision on plans lodged by Cleanaway for its site in Ravenhall, which is also bidding to receive the tunnel project soil.
Transurban, the operators of the Westgate Tunnel Project, will decide which site is contracted to process the soil.
