Industry calls for new port ‘at Point Wilson’

By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG lost the battle for the car trade but should still fight to win Victoria’s next major port, according to lobby groups and the state opposition.
Shadow ports minister Tim Pallas said industry wanted the next port between Werribee and Geelong.
Mr Pallas said the same industry pressure that defeated State Government’s car trade plan could revive a Bay West port proposal.
A Western Transport Strategy, released last month, said Point Wilson’s Bay West area was the best option for Victoria’s second container port.
The strategy, commissioned by Footscray-based regional development lobby group LeadWest, recommended a comprehensive investigation of Bay West.
Mr Pallas called on the Government to develop “a serious port futures strategy”.
“Mr Baillieu abandoned the previous port strategy but he needs to listen to industry, to (ports operator) Toll and the freight and logistics industry.
Committee for Geelong chair Michael Betts said the Bay West option was still “unresolved”.
“It has to be asked whether it’s in the state’s best interests to have only one facility at Hastings, with all of the attendant infrastructure costs that go with it.
“It’s worth a long-term strategic look at other alternatives and clearly Bay West fits into existing infrastructure.”
LeadWest project manager Craig Rowley said the Western Transport Strategy considered a range of links including a proposed metropolitan outer ring road, rail and Avalon Airport.
The strategy also considered potential funding sources, Mr Rowley said.
A proposed Western Freight Activity Area would also lend weight to a Bay West port option, he said.
But Ports Minister Denis Napthine said Hastings was identified as the best location.
“The area has an abundance of land and is already a commercial operating deep-water port.”
Mr Napthine said the opposition had previously supported the development of Hastings.