The Victorian Government has announced plans for a $1.2 billion redevelopment of Port of Melbourne
April 24, 2012
The Victorian Government has announced plans for a $1.2 billion redevelopment of Port of Melbourne.
In a statement released today, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu says the redevelopment project will significantly improve freight movement to and from the port.
“A fantastic aspect of this development will be the construction of a dedicated route for trucks accessing Webb Dock,” Baillieu says.
“With new on and off ramps linking the port directly to the M1, Williamstown Road will be completely free from port trucks.”
The centrepiece of the redevelopment project will be the construction of a new container terminal at Webb Dock.
But Baillieu says infrastructure upgrades at Swanson Dock will also increase capacity at the port’s existing container terminals.
“This major infrastructure project is an exciting opportunity to cement Victoria’s reputation as the freight and logistics capital of Australia,” Baillieu says.
In 2010-11 the port handled a record 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEU) and has continued to set new trade records in recent months,” according to Baillieu.
He says
container movements in and out of Melbourne are set to increase in excess of six per cent every year and tipped to reach
eight million TEU by 2035.
He
says to protect the amenity for the local community an additional $10 million will also be spent on buffering and beautification works.