Legal fight clay could delay highway
A FIGHT over clay is threatening to put the brakes on the $363 million duplication of the Princes Highway between Winchelsea and Colac.
The tussle between MCG Quarries and BMD Constructions — the company building the four-lane road — could delay the project for up to 12 months and cost an additional $12 million, Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay says.
It comes after MCG Quarries was given permission to build a quarry off Mooleric Rd, Ombersley, near the Princes Highway duplication.
The Geelong Advertiser understands MCG Quarries is attempting to provide clay and soil for the construction of the Princes Highway and a 44-turbine wind farm west of Winchelsea.
An agreement — preventing gravel and soil to be sourced from within a 15km buffer zone of the wind farm — between owners of the wind farm land and its developer Acciona has been the source of a legal stoush launched by MCG Quarries.
The company, which wants to set up its quarry within the buffer zone, alleges the agreement will impact its business.
Meanwhile, BMD Constructions has started extracting clay from properties near the site of the duplication, but MCG quarries says the company needs a mineral extrac- tion licence to continue and has demanded it cease digging.
Warncoort farmer James Dennis has offered clay from his property to BMD Constructions.
“We are in initial discussions with BMD for the company to take clay from our farm,” Mr Dennis said.
He said dispute over clay had the potential to delay the duplication of the Princes Highway.
“The clay will be used for the foundation of the road. (But) this dispute will make it difficult for the project to go ahead right now,” he said.
Mr Ramsay said an “all-out war” had erupted between once peaceful neighbours.
“BMD’s clay extraction for roadworks is standard for such projects, but the objection by MCG Quarries could potentially delay the project significantly and increase the cost by $12 million,” Mr Ramsay said yesterday.
State Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said the duplication work will be complete within two years.
“This is a vital project for the south west, and we are on track to deliver it on time and on budget by mid-2019,” he said. “VicRoads is currently working with its contractor to obtain appropriate planning approvals for road fill material for the upcoming construction season.”
“... the objection by MCG Quarries could potentially delay the project significantly and increase the cost by $12 million.” WESTERN VICTORIA MP SIMON RAMSAY