POPULAR WORDS

August 31, 2009

Management of Melbourne and Hastings ports will be integrated under a new strategy confirmed by the Victorian Government.

Merging the two corporations will maximise their contribution to the State's economy, according to Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas.

The Port Futures strategy includes plans for a new container facility at the Port of Melbourne and a strategy to reduce carbon emissions at both facilities.

Development at the Port of Hastings would also be high on the agenda for the new combined management portfolio, Pallas says.

The plans for the new facilities have been discussed at length, Pallas says, and integration is a good thing for Victoria.

"These [plans] have been developed in close consultation and cooperation with local communities and provide a picture of how each port may grow in the future,” Pallas says.

“Ports are our gateway to the world. Our four commercial ports handle 99 percent of Victoria’s international trade, which when combined with coastal trade represented $100 billion worth of cargo in 2007-08 financial year.

The ports generate nearly $3 billion in economic output for Victoria, Pallas says, with 15,000 people directly employed by sea freight activity.