$55m ‘inland port’ in fight for Avalon home

Alex de Vos
Avalon will have a $55 million “inland port” for trucks and trains if Altona residents win a fight with State Government against the proposed facility.
The Government wants to build the receiving and distribution point for road and rail cargo at Altona to free up land around Melbourne’s port for expansion.
But fears of traffic congestion and noise have prompted an Altona community lobby group to demand the Government build the port at Altona.
A Hobsons Bay Community First spokesperson said the Avalon site would “make more sense”.
The spokesperson said the project did not allow for sound barriers to prevent noise from the unloading of trains and loading of trucks disturbing Altona residents.
The community group said trains leaving the inland port would use existing lines from Newport to an area just before Laverton.
The spokesperson said the impact of the trains would “substantially” increase traffic on Kororoit Creek Road from Burns Road.
“The ramifications for the residents in Hobson’s Bay is huge,” the spokesperson said.
“Why Altona for an inland port when it’s so close to Melbourne, the wharf and in the middle of a large suburban growth area?
“Wouldn’t it make more sense for the port to be outside the residential growth area, like Avalon?”
The group also attacked Altona’s council for working to secure the inland port without consulting residents.
Geelong Chamber of Commerce president Lawrie Miller expected the city would welcome the inland port to Avalon with open arms.
“I couldn’t see why anyone would be against it,” Mr Miller said.
“There’s plenty of space at Avalon and it wouldn’t be a noise problem.”
Mr Miller said the truck and train port would complement Avalon’s airport and adjacent freeway and rail line to give Geelong a “true” freight hub.
“Nothing lends itself better than the Avalon precinct to a freight and transport hub.”
The Government plans to build a second inland port at Dandenong.