THE company behind a toxic soil remediation plant proposed for Altona says it worked in the heart of Springvale with no complaints.
Innova managing director John Lucas said the company would appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to overturn Hobsons Bay Council’s refusal to grant a permit to operate on the Dow Chemical site in Kororoit Creek Road.
While Innova was not present to state its case at Thursday’s special planning committee meeting in Altona, Mr Lucas said residents were misinformed.
“Our process is clean, quiet and, most importantly, essential to the rehabilitation of sites across Hobsons Bay and surrounds,” he said.
“We have taken every measure to protect residential amenity and I believe residents will only benefit from having a centre for site remediation at the petrochemical complex.
“There has been a great deal of misinformation about our proposal and I encourage residents to visit the Innova website to see the facts.”
Mr Lucas said there would be no toxic fumes, only carbon dioxide. Soil stored onsite awaiting remediation would be stored inside. “We don’t use caustic soda. We don’t treat with chemicals, only heat. There will be no noise, dust or odour – remember Innova worked in the heart of Springvale without any complaints.”
In 2008, Innova spent three months cleaning up contaminated soil at a former car assembly plant at 917 Princes Highway. It wants to establish a permanent $50million plant at Altona to treat toxic soil transported from across Victoria.
