Significant additional road congestion and delays are expected in Melbourne's west along parts of the Western Freeway if a proposal to dump the contaminated West Gate Tunnel soil in Ravenhall goes ahead.
Cleanaway is seeking approval to accept the contaminated soil at the Melbourne Regional Landfill in Ravenhall – a suburb which is home to many industrial businesses, and neighbours established suburbs in Caroline Springs, Burnside, Albanvale, and Deer Park.
Through the Stop the Soil campaign, Melton City Council, Brimbank City Council and their communities are urging the Victorian Government and Transurban to reject Cleanaway's proposal.
If successful, the project would create 460 additional truck movements per day along the route which is set to cover parts of the Western Freeway, West Gate Freeway, and Christies Road, and would add to existing congestion around Western Ring Road and Deer Park Bypass exits.
City of Melton Mayor Cr Lara Carli voiced her concerns for local commuters in the west who would feel this burden once COVID-19 restrictions lift.
"Residents, workers and visitors who travel along any part of this route could expect to feel the impact of 460 more truck movements every single day for at least 16 to 18 months," Cr Carli said.
"In addition, even more truck movements will be required to relocate any class A and B soil which cannot be permanently held at the site.
"The west is already congested, we already urgently need substantial road upgrades, and many of our residents have no choice but to use this same route to access employment. We reject any further disadvantage to our communities."
City of Brimbank Mayor Cr Georgina Papafotiou urged residents to consider how the proposal could impact their daily commute.
"Hundreds of additional trucks, once people return to work, will considerably slow down your commute, the school drop-off, weekend activities, and more," Cr Papafotiou said.
"Please let the Victorian Government and Transurban know that you oppose contaminated soil being dumped in our area, and that you oppose sending hundreds more trucks along an already congested route. Stop the Soil and stop the congestion!"
If you oppose Cleanaway's proposal to dump contaminated soil in Ravenhall, you can sign the petition at stopthesoil.com.au
