Vic: Toxic dump protest blocks Hume Highway

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2003
Vic: Toxic dump protest blocks Hume Highway

A protest over government plans for an industrial waste dump has forced the diversion
of traffic on the Hume Highway in central Victoria.

Traffic was diverted around Violet Town for two hours as hundreds of residents protested
at the Strathbogie overpass over the possible siting of a $200 million disposal centre
for agricultural and industrial waste.

Land at Baddaginnie, close to Violet Town, has been shortlisted by the Victorian government
as one of three possible sites for the new dump.

Organiser BERNIE O'HALLORAN says the community doesn't want a toxic dump on its doorstep.

However Major Projects Minister PETER BATCHELOR says the facility is not for toxic
waste and won't accept either inflammable or explosive materials.

He says the protest was unnecessary, and if people want to talk to him he's willing to meet.

AAP RTV ra/sp

KEYWORD: TOXIC BLOCKADE (MELBOURNE)

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