Media call and Clean Our Air Protest Rally at Sunday 2 March 11:00-12:00pm
at Yarraville Gardens public stage, corner of Hyde St and Somerville Road, Yarraville
With families who fear that air pollution will get worse for their children.
Families alarmed that West Gate Tunnel will open with unfiltered vent stacks.
For interviews call:
Martin Wurt – Maribyrnong Truck Action Group (MTAG) President - 0411 063 071
Dr Vicki Kotsirilos – Doctors for the Environment 0417 354 255
The West Gate Tunnel’s two vent stacks, being built without filtration, are a stark reminder for families in Melbourne’s inner west of what a broken promise looks like.
Families here thought the project’s promise of ‘trucks off local roads’ would lead to cleaner air and better health outcomes. Kids living in Melbourne’s inner west already have asthma rates 70% above the Australian average. Families now fear the tunnel will make this even worse.
“I was shocked when I learned there was no filtration, and am worried about the impact this may have on our family’s health.” said Jessica Marsh. “We have three young kids and live close to one of the tower stacks.”
A family friendly protest rally on Sunday will bring together residents from affected communities living near the West Gate Freeway and ventilation stacks. Organisers will have concerned families ready to speak to media who live close to the unfiltered stacks.
“The tunnels are not getting filtration even though the technology is proven and readily available.” said rally spokesperson Martin Wurt. “The government’s own Inquiry in 2017 recommended filtration from day one and we know that the stacks have been designed so filtration can be fitted.”
The tunnel’s promised truck bans on residential streets may get trucks underground – but without filtration, communities in Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, Sth Kingsville, Altona North, Newport and Spotswood will continue to breathe toxic pollution for decade to come. The tunnels are expected to carry close to 6 million trucks per year.
MTAG is working with EJA (Environmental Justice Australia) to pressure the EPA to revisit their 2017 decision that filtration is not needed. In 2021 the state government introduced a new Environment Act that, for the first time, includes a component designed to empower communities to stop pollution before it becomes a problem.
Families in the west just want their government to do the right thing and stop air quality and health from getting worse.
Date and Time: Sunday 2 March 11:00-12:00pm
Location: Yarraville Gardens stage, corner of Hyde St and Somerville Rd
Quotes attributable to Jessica Marsh
“Getting trucks off the roads is one thing, but if their fumes are still hanging over the neighbourhood it seems like shifting the problem rather than solving it.”
“Our kid’s dance school is right next to the other tower. I was shocked when I learned there was no filtration.”
“I am worried about the impact this may have on our family’s health.”
Quotes attributable to MTAG President Martin Wurt:
“If now is not the right time to protect our health, when will it ever be.”
“Everyone should be alarmed that our kids have one of the worse hospitalisation rates for asthma in Australia. We need to fix this!”
“Transurban stands to make millions from their tunnel tolls but it seems money and will can’t be found to protect our health.”
Quotes attributable to Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM:
“The air pollution exposed to this community is unacceptable and causing harm, particularly to children.”
“Traffic related air pollution is a cause of lung disease such as asthma and heart disease such as heart attacks.”
“There are no safe levels of traffic related air pollution, air pollution is a health hazard.”
Speakers at the rally include:
- Mayors of Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay - Pradeep Tiwari and Daria Kellander
- MP David Ettershank - Member for Western Metropolitan Region
- Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM - Doctors for the Environment.
- Footscray’s Snuff Puppets will entertain the crowd.
Background facts:
- In 2023 the City of Maribyrnong declared a Health Emergency in its municipality because of noise and air pollution from trucks.
- 15 countries filter their vent stacks including Norway, France, South Korea, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain, Austria, Italy, China and Germany.
- The 2017 Inquiry and Advisory Committee (EES) established by the Vic government to assess the impacts of the West Gate Tunnel. After weighing up the evidence, the Committee recommended filtration be installed, ready for day one of operations. But this recommendation was ignored by government.
Contact details:
For interviews call:
Martin Wurt – MTAG President - 0411 063 071
Dr Vicki Kotsirilos – Doctors for the Environment 0417 354 255
