Bay West proposal ‘ignored’

By John Van Klaveren
STATE Government ignored confidential Department of Transport advice to investigate a Bay West container port option, a briefing document reveals.
The briefing, obtained by the state opposition under Freedom of Information laws, warned that the Government’s preferred option at Hastings could be too small.
The Independent reported in June that industry supported a Bay West container port between Point Wilson and Werribee.
A Western Transport Study identified Bay West as the best option for a container port for transport links.
Victorian Freight and Logistics Council and the Property Council of Australia both support consideration of the Bay West option.
The secret briefing said Hastings could only handle seven million standard containers but Victoria would need a 14 million capacity by 2050.
“Hastings capacity to accommodate containers is likely to be further diminished if other trades, like brown coal products, emerge to compete for space at the port.”
The briefing said Hastings faced “complex environmental management requirements” and “high cost” transport connections.
The briefing said Bay West appeared to offer “significant potential advantages” for long-term container capacity.
The advantages included ample land, almost unlimited berth capacity and proximity to Avalon Airport and key road and rail connections.
“Given these factors, uncertainties around the mix of future trades at Hastings and constraints at Geelong, Bay West appears to warrant further investigation.”
Development of Port of Hastings is expected to cost around $12 billion.
The briefing said Port of Geelong was excluded early in the assessment process because of insufficient available land.
Sufficient land was available behind Lascelles Wharf to handle up to 2.5 million containers, the report said.
“But anything greater than one million would likely require relocation of existing businesses and may impact on other dry and liquid bulk facilities and operations.
“It would also be necessary to undertake major deepening and widening works to the approach channels to the Port of Geelong.”