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Vote ‘a kick in the guts’ By Oliver Lees A last-gasp bid to revoke the planning scheme amendment that would allow the transfer of contaminated soil to a site in Bulla failed in state Parliament last week. Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn sought a majority vote to revoke the Hume planning scheme amendment that could allow the transport of thousands of trucks of soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project (WTP) to a purpose built facility on Sunbury Road. Mr Finn said he disapproved of the dumping of PFAS contaminated soil at the Hi-Quality site in Bulla because of its proximity to residential housing. “That’s what this motion is about. It’s not about the West Gate Tunnel, it’s not about infrastructure, it’s about the health of tens of thousands of my constituents,” he said. “They [members of Parliament] have admitted there is a risk, but they’re more than happy to take it, because none of them live near Sunbury.” The motion was defeated 17 to 20 votes. Sunbury Against Toxic Soil Facebook group admininstrator Chris O’Neill said the decision was “a kick in the guts”. “We’re really disappointed, we thought it was going to be close and we tried our hardest,” he said. “We were in constant contact with crossbench MPs but unfortunately it didn’t go our way.” Mr O’Neill said that Sunbury and Bulla residents had thrown their support behind the motion, with more than 650 community members sending emails to relevant ministers to plead their case. Speaking against the motion, Western Metropolitan MP Cesar Melhem said the state government had appropriately engaged the community. “I am not discounting for a moment the concerns of our citizens in Sunbury and whether it is in Caroline Springs or Bacchus Marsh,” Mr Melhem said, in reference to the three communities that could receive soil from the WTP. “I believe they have been addressed, but any further work to be done in relation to addressing these concerns absolutely should happen and will continue to happen.” A Hume council Supreme court challenge against the planning scheme amendment will be heard in July.
Pets in demand
Epping Animal Welfare Facility’s Penny Langmead, with Izzy.
The lockdown-related surge in pet adoptions is showing no signs of slowing down, according to RSPCA Victoria. Carmen Main, customer care team leader at the RSPCA-run Epping Animal Welfare Facility, said the number of applications received by the RSPCA has been surprising. “Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve received 54,000 online applications for pet adoption,” Ms Main said. “There’s a higher demand for dogs, and also cats. “It’s been a really busy time for our adoption centres across our six sites [in Victoria]. We’ve had a really steady flow of applications … [and] a really consistent level of interest.” Ms Main said the organisation adheres to a “rigorous process” for adoptions. “I think a lot of people working from home, their work-life balance was different, and the time people had to give to a pet was increased,” she said. “We really are making sure people can look after a pet. “We want to make sure that it’s a really good and strong match, forever.” Details: rspcavic.org
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