Bill passes Victorian Parliament to enable the appointment of a Port of Hastings development authority
August 18, 2011
Development of a second Victorian container port has been given the green light, with legislation enabling the appointment of a Port of Hastings development authority passing yesterday.
Minister for Ports Denis Napthine says the Legislation Amendment (Port of Hastings Development Authority) Bill’s passed Parliament yesterday with the support of Labor and the Greens.
“This legislation reverses Labor’s short-sighted vision for the future of the Victorian freight industry and will allow for an independent Port of Hastings Development Authority to begin the preliminary work for this vital project,” he says.
“With the throughput of containers in Victoria forecast to quadruple over the next 30 years, a second container port is vital to the long term productivity and economy of Victoria.”
Napthine says the development of the port will give business and exporters confidence in the long-term efficiency of freight movements in Victoria.
He says the government will soon seek expressions of interest in the a board for the development authority.
“Once appointed, the board will initiate a number of assessments including economic, social and environmental impact studies,” he says.
MP for Hastings Neale Burgess says the development of Hastings will be a great economic boost for the south-east.
“Already the Port of Hastings accommodates 200 vessel visits every year with the port handling about 5 million tonnes of cargo. Developing Hastings as Victoria’s second container port will deliver fantastic economic benefits and more jobs to the region,” he says.