West Gate Tunnel Project Soil Processing Facility

A facility to safely dispose of soil that is dug up to build the West Gate Tunnel Project is needed.

Some of the soil may contain low levels of PFAS, chemicals found in household items and in soil during construction in urban areas.

Maddingley Brown Coal (MBC) is proposing to build a soil processing facility that is designed to exceed safety standards and mitigate amenity impacts.

Why Maddingley Brown Coal?

MBC is a designated State-Significant Waste Hub licensed to receive industrial waste.

Testing shows that soil from the tunnel site is not expected to be any more contaminated than waste MBC already receives – known as Category C waste – though extra measures will be put in place to contain the soil without the risk of further contamination.

How will impacts be managed?

A range of on-site protection measures would help ensure there will be no odour, little or no dust, and minimal noise.

These measures include five-metre earth walls around the site, a protective liner in areas where soil is placed and dust suppression and drainage systems to collect and store water in purpose-built ponds that are quarantined from the groundwater system.

Will there be environmental checks?

Stringent EPA monitoring and reporting requirements will ensure any soil containing PFAS does not present a risk to the environment.

An EPA-accredited environmental auditor would oversee the management of the soil from the moment it leaves the West Gate Tunnel Project site to its arrival at MBC, as well as during the storing, testing and ultimate disposal.

A sample of each load of soil that arrives at the facility would be tested to determine how best to dispose of it.

How will the soil be transported?

To reach the facility, trucks would use approved routes and be monitored by real-time GPS tracking.

All soil will leave the West Gate Tunnel Project in covered trucks that have a protective inner liner that meet EPA requirements.

MBC recognises the impact this may have on local roads and to manage this it would provide funds to Moorabool Shire Council for road maintenance and upgrades required as a result of the project.

Want more information?

MBC is keen to understand the needs and concerns of the local community and will continue to keep the community informed. Check back here for information on upcoming community information sessions and other updates.

Download or view a project fact sheet here.

Information on project water management here.

Alternatively, contact us using the form below.

For more information about the West Gate Tunnel Project, visit http://westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/