RESIDENTS across Melbourne are dirty over plans to treat toxic soil in the suburbs, leading to an explosive debate in State Parliament last week over proposals for Altona and Lyndhurst.
Following criticism for the Lyndhurst proposal in the south-eastern suburbs, Planning Minister Matthew Guy shot back: “Should I put it in Eltham? Is [Labor MP Adem] Somyurek suggesting Tullamarine? Do they suggest the western suburbs? Caroline Springs? Werribee?”
Last month, Hobsons Bay Council rejected plans by Innova Soil Technology to establish a $50million toxic soil plant less than one kilometre from Altona homes. The company is appealing that decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Competitor Renex is appealing to VCAT this month to overturn Innova’s EPA works approval to operate at Altona. It wants to treat toxic soil at its own Dandenong South site.
The Victorian Greens are calling on soil remediation companies to be mobile; that is, do their work on a ‘dirty site’ and then move on.
The party has also called for state planning regulations on the siting of toxic soil plants and the establishment of buffers between toxic soil sites and homes, childcare centres and other “sensitive uses”.
Labor and Liberal MPs combined last week to defeat a motion by western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland to revoke a planning amendment allowing the Lyndhurst tip to treat contaminated soil from across Melbourne.
Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber said Mr Guy’s decision had weakened recommended buffer zones around tip sites containing hazardous waste.
“He’s opening up many more possibilities for where other toxic facilities might be located and that’s got people worried.”
Mr Barber called for legislative changes to be made before Innova’s Altona application goes to the VCAT, so that it might be determined under a new law.
