Bipartisan commitment to port expansion must be a priority

VICTORIA'S most influential employer organisation, VECCI, has called on both major parties to commit to expediting the Port of Hastings development as Victoria currently risks losing over 15,700 jobs and $1.8 billion in economic benefits due to lack of port capacity.

The Port of Melbourne is due to reach capacity in 2025 and a second deep water facility is needed to be in operation by that date to ensure Victoria retains its status as Australia’s freight and logistics capital.

Once the Port of Melbourne has reached capacity the additional shipping activity could be lost to Sydney and Brisbane.

VECCI chief executive Mark Stone said Victoria risks being left behind by competitor states positioning themselves to accommodate larger ships carrying more than 8,000 containers, which cannot currently be serviced at the Port of Melbourne. Brisbane is currently dredging its port to handle larger ships while the Port of Botany in Sydney recently underwent a major expansion of its container facilities.

Mr Stone said Victorian jobs, trade and investment were too important to lose out to interstate interests if Victoria failed to act in time.

VECCI is a strong supporter of expanding the Port of Hastings which will provide a major benefit to key manufacturing businesses in the south-east of Melbourne and important agribusinesses in Gippsland.

The fact that planning and environmental studies are well progressed also means that the Port of Hastings has a distinct time advantage over alternate sites. This is critically important, given the long lead times involved in delivering new port capacity and associated road and rail transport connections.

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the peak body for employers in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

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