Simulation: Stuart Christie with the port simulator behind.
By John Van Klaveren
A PROJECTED tripling of trade will mean major development of Geelong’s port, a computer simulation has shown.
Victorian Regional Channels Authority chief Capt Peter McGovern said major commodity growth would require an increase in Geelong’s shipping berths and storage facilities.
The Planimate computer simulation had projected the port’s infrastructure requirements up to 20 years into the future, he said.
“The simulations we’re studying, showing exports surging to nearly 35 million tonnes by 2030, are shaping as reality.”
Capt McGovern said channels authority was using Planimate extensively to prepare the authority’s first port development strategy.
“The strategy looks at market growth, ships, channels, wharves and on-shore infrastructure, roads, rail and the residential-industrial interface,” he said.
“It gives port stakeholders an opportunity to gauge what investments might be needed in the future to ensure we capitalise on the port’s economic growth.
“If a new commodity was coming through Corio Quay the model might show a need for another berth there.
“Without that lead time to plan we risk missing out on new commodities. We have to be ready.”
The Independent reported earlier this month that Geelong’s port would play a key role in a State Government push to join the multi-billion dollar mining boom.
Coal explorer Mantle Mining said access to a rail link to Geelong port was crucial to his company’s development of a two-billion-tonne coalmine near Bacchus Marsh.
Capt McGovern said the next economic impact study, due in two weeks, would update the port’s key statistics.
Channels authority development analyst Stuart Christie said the simulation model enabled stakeholders to see on screen the changes required.
“We work on trends and forecasts from port stakeholders and talk to the City, VicRoads and VicTrack about their future plans.
“We input all that into model to get an overall port picture.”
