COMMON SENSE PREVAILS IN VICTORIA’S UPPER HOUSE
The Victorian Legislative Council today voted to condemn the Labor Government’s proposal to dump toxic soil in Bacchus Marsh.
The motion won 19-15, supported by the Opposition and the entire crossbench, moved:
That this House —
(1) opposes any decision by the Andrews Labor Government, or its agencies, to dump toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project at the Maddingley Brown Coal mine, Bacchus Marsh, in the Shire of Moorabool;
(2) notes that proper community consultation and a full environmental assessment has not been undertaken by the West Gate Tunnel Authority, Transurban or other entities associated with the project; and
(3) further notes that the site of the proposed dump site, near Bacchus Marsh Grammar School and the town centre, makes it inappropriate to foist the transport and dumping of the contaminated soil on the Bacchus Marsh community.
Victoria’s Upper House officially opposes the plan to dispose contaminated soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project at Maddingley Brown Coal.
Only Labor, are determined to risk jeopardising the health, environment and agriculture of the Bacchus Marsh community.
Quotes attributable to Bev McArthur MP:
“I am grateful that the entire crossbench saw the merits of my argument in standing up for the people of Bacchus Marsh and beyond. I will continue to fight vigorously to ensure that no toxic soil from a botched deal between Transurban and the Government ends up in the backyard of Bacchus Marsh.”
“The Government should take special note of what happened in the Upper House today.”
“This is also a victory for people power, as the community of Bacchus Marsh have led a vigorous and effective community campaign to stop their lives and livelihoods being threatened by toxic contamination.”
“The Labor Government’s consideration to dump toxic soil in Bacchus Marsh is emblematic of their general conduct towards Western Victoria.”
“The regions on one side of the West Gate which feed those on the other, have been completely neglected and utterly mistreated by a government infiltrated by and beholden to anti-agriculture, pro-inner-city ideologues.”
“This proposal, as well as a call for mandatory CCTV cameras on farms, deteriorating rural road and rail infrastructure, and lack of bushfire preparedness, should not be viewed as circumstances in isolation. They are a part of a wider abandonment of anything, anyone and anywhere beyond the tram tracks of Melbourne.”
“A time will come soon, when the West becomes tired of the neglect, recklessness and mismanagement displayed by Labor Governments towards them, and shows them so at the ballot box.”
“The State Government should not override legitimate council and community concerns by forcing them to have contaminated soil dumped in their backyard, because they were too irresponsible to listen to the advice of their own environment regulator.”
18 March 2020