Labor prepared to ‘Go West’ for future Victorian terminal

Labor has given the strongest indication yet that it is prepared to junk the proposed Hastings container terminal.

Since being elected in November 2010, the Victorian coalition has sought to speed up planning for a Mornington Peninsula terminal in order to handle the soaring Melbourne box trade.
That policy had been broadly supported by the opposition.

Labor ports spokesman Tim Pallas indicated yesterday they it had a re-think, and was now considering ‘Bay West’.

Bay West would see a port built on the western side of Port Phillip Bay between Werribee and Geelong.

“Victorian Labor believes that the case for Bay West is compelling and we state a clear preference and support for it to be the next container port for Melbourne,” Mr Pallas told Lloyd’s List Australia.

“We have listened to industry and the community in forming this view.

“Nonetheless, as an inter-generational decision, Labor in government would refer the development of Bay West to the proposed Infrastructure Victoria, to produce a public and transparent assessment of the cost benefit of Bay West over any other potential contender.”

Ports minister Denis Napthine was quick to criticise his long-time foe, saying Labor should never again be trusted to manage the state’s commercial ports.

“The port of Hastings has long had bi-partisan support as the preferred location for a second container port due to its abundance of port-zoned land, its status as an existing natural deep-water, working port and its proximity to major shipping channels in Bass Strait.

About the Port of Hastings

The Port of Hastings Development Authority is Victorian government company. It is responsible for the development and management of the port of Hastings which is located in Western Port Bay which is to the south east of Melbourne. It is expected to be developed as a major new container port in competition with the Port of Melbourne.

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Port of Hasting maybe has a big future as a Victorian sea terminal