Experts set for port site study

Shipping and transport experts have investigated potential locations for an container port west of Geelong, according to the state opposition.
Shadow Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the experts visited several sites for the proposed Bay West facility.
Mr Pallas said the investigation was vital to find the best possible location for Victoria’s second container port to ensure economic and jobs growth.
The Independent revealed last month that a secret State Government investigation had compared Bay West with the Government’s favoured option of a new port at Hastings.
Industry has previously supported a Bay West container port, with a transport study identifying the location, near Avalon, as the best option.
The Independent reported last month that opposition leader Daniel Andrews had announced Labor’s support for the Bay West option.
Mr Pallas said the site investigation would include a “comprehensive and transparent” cost-benefit analysis.
“What is clear is that industry believes a Bay West location for the state’s second container port is significantly more beneficial and provides easier access to their markets than that of the Hastings proposal.
“Labor will investigate how Bay West stands up against other possible sites, including Hastings.
“Bay West has a number of advantages over Hastings, including availability of land, access to major arterial roads and the standard-gauge national freight network and potentially unlimited berth capacity.”
Mr Pallas said reports already supported locating the port between Little River and Point Wilson because of cost advantages over Hastings.
“Ernst and Young estimated the cost of a port at Bay West was approximately half of that required to expand Port of Hastings.”