SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Sweet gesture
(Damjan Janevski) 214381_01
Little Ezekiel has captured the heart of his neighbourhood. The four-year-old Sunbury boy has spent his time bringing a little bit of cheer to town by delivering packages of lollies and chocolates to his neighbours. Ezekiel’s mum Chloe Kerwell said she was blown away by her son’s kind gesture. “From his understanding, he is not seeing people smile because people are wearing masks,” she said. “First he asked if he could make lollies to give out to make people happy because lollies make him happy. “He said he wanted to serve them to the neighbours and to his friends.” In three weeks, Ezekiel, with the help of his family, has delivered more than 100 sweet packages throughout Sunbury. In response, locals have sent small gifts and have left letters in Ezekiel’s letterbox, thanking him. Ms Kerwell said she couldn’t be more proud of her son.“He wanted to do something nice for people and we’ll do anything to make that happen,” she said. Jessica Micallef
Toxic soil fight ‘not over’ By Jessica Micallef Sunbury and Bulla residents have been left “gobsmacked and appalled” as the prospect of toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project being dumped in Bulla moves a step closer. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has approved waste management and recycling company Hi-Quality’s Environment Management Plan (EMP) to send soil to the Sunbury Eco-Hub on Sunbury Road, Bulla. The EPA also approved Maddingly Brown Coal’s EMP in its bid to process the soil in Bacchus Marsh. Sunbury resident Deb Butler said the Bulla
and Sunbury communities were gobsmacked by the EPA’s decision. “It is devastating for us,” she said. “We are trying to find ways to stop this from happening to our community. “There has been no consultation and there is absolutely no right of appeal. “I cannot fathom that in Victoria, we do not have the ability to appeal a decision that could have have such a devastating impact on our community.” Ms Butler said the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented and restricted locals from voicing their concerns and rallying against the proposal to send toxic soil their way.
“We haven’t been able to go out and put some signs up or protest because we realise how important the COVID-19 restrictions are.” Chris O’Neill, creator of Facebook group Sunbury Against Toxic Soil, said he was disappointed by the lack of community consultation from the EPA. “It is absolutely appalling and disgusting,” he said. “The EPA themselves have not consulted with the community … and they just seem to not care about what they are doing. “This is someone dumping 1.5 millions tonnes of toxic soil. “About 864 trucks a day will be travelling over Bulla Bridge.”
Ms Butler said the community’s fight was far from over. She said she was more determined than ever to try and put a stop to the soil being dumped in her neighbourhood. “We are going to continue our fight,” she said. “We have spoken to several minsters …to help us fight this. “We want to make noise and get our voices heard.” The approval of an EMP does not mark the final decision on where the soil would be sent. The two sites still need approval from the state planning minister. Transurban, the site operators of the West Gate Tunnel Project, will decide where the soil is to be processed.
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