Shipping bid sunk

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
STATE Government has “abandoned” its proposal to relocate car shipping to Port of Geelong, according to shadow ports minister Tim Pallas.
Mr Pallas said the shipping and automotive industries’ had launched a “massive lobbying effort” to block the move.
The Independent revealed in October that Toyota, Holden and Nissan strongly opposed a shift to Geelong.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries also revealed to the Independent the plan was bound to fail because the proposed site was too small.
Mr Pallas said Premier Ted Baillieu’s “firm” refusal to support the proposal in parliament yesterday was a “significant blow”.
“Clearly, the Baillieu Government has either decided to ditch moving the car trade to the Port of Geelong or is having serious doubts about whether or not it should.”
Mr Pallas said he asked Mr Baillieu to admit the promise of 1000 car shipping jobs for Geelong was “a cruel hoax”.
“Clearly, it seems Mr Baillieu now has cold feet on the Geelong move.
“This comes at the worst time for people in Geelong who are already facing massive job cuts at Alcoa, uncertainty around Ford’s long-term future and public sector job cuts.”
But Ports Minister Denis Napthine said Mr Pallas was “way off course”.
A feasibility study was still underway and the Government had yet to make any decision, Mr Napthine said.
“The automotive industry has expressed concern regarding whether there is sufficient land available around the Port of Geelong to accommodate their needs. Concerns have also been raised about the suitability of the shipping channel.
“I’ve asked my department to investigate these concerns and provide advice as to potential solutions and costs associated with addressing these issues.”