Benjamin Millar
The state’s public sector watchdog is investigating the Environment Protection Authority’s handling of approvals for sites to receive contaminated spoil from the West Gate Tunnel Project.
The EPA last year approved environment management plans for sites in Bacchus Marsh, Ravenhall and Bulla to receive the spoil generated from tunnel boring machines, but revoked the decisions in December following Supreme Court challenges from community groups fighting the proposals.
New environment management plans for all three sites were approved earlier this year before the project’s builder John Holland CPB Joint Venture chose the Hi-Quality Quarry site in Bulla in June to receive the spoil.
Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass said her probe would investigate the adequacy of the EPA’s decision-making throughout the process.
“I am concerned without the actions of the community groups, the deficiencies in the EPA’s decisions may not have been identified,” Ms Glass said.
“The community deserves to know if correct processes were followed when it came to deciding where tonnes of spoil could be disposed of, especially given the proximity to homes.”
The investigation will consider the EPA’s decision-making and approvals for sites operated by Maddingley Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh, Cleanaway Operations in Ravenhall, and Hi-Quality Quarry Products in Bulla.
Ms Glass is seeking submissions from identified community groups for the investigation, expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Although aware of the strength of some community feeling over the projects, Ms Glass warned her investigation cannot stop the construction of the West Gate Tunnel nor can she make binding orders about where the spoil should go.
EPA chief executive Lee Miezis said the EPA will fully cooperate with the investigation.
“The Ombudsman can expect the EPA’s full collaboration and we will share all necessary information,” he said.
“As this investigation is now underway, EPA has no further comments at this time.’’
Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the council welcomes the investigation as it is clear there are serious doubts around the EPA process.
“This was a project that required the strongest possible rigour in assessing the environmental impacts,” she said.
“We look forward to the Ombudsman’s review and learning more about the process that was undertaken.”
Moorabool Council chief executive Derek Madden said the council welcomes the Ombudsman taking into account community concerns about the EPA process around removing spoil from the West Gate Tunnel project.
Brimbank Council said it would not comment on the investigation.
