Massive jobs boost for Port of Geelong
Thursday 3 February 2011
The State Government today announced a feasibility study into relocating the export and import of cars to Victoria's second largest port, the Port of Geelong.
Minister for Ports Dr Denis Napthine today announced the study at the Port of Geelong and said that preliminary work showed Geelong would be well placed to handle the car trade currently handled through the Port of Melbourne.
It is estimated that relocation of the car trade to Geelong will help generate up to 1,000 jobs in the region and provide an additional $200 million in output to the local economy. Relocation of the car trade to Geelong would have the twin benefits of promoting economic growth and jobs in regional Victoria, while easing pressure on land availability in and around the Port of Melbourne, and transport congestion in Melbourne's western suburbs.
The Port of Geelong boasts secure berths, back-up land capacity and strong road and rail links which would make it an attractive alternative.
In 2009/10 approximately 375,000 new vehicles carried on 320 vehicle carrier vessels moved through the Port of Melbourne. This included exports of 125,000 motor vehicles built in Victoria, valued at $1.7 billion.
The Port of Geelong currently handled much of Victoria's bulk cargo including grain, woodchips and petroleum products. Imports and exports handled through the port are worth $6.6 billion annually with the port generating 1,300 jobs.
The Port of Geelong is already a major driver of the local and Victorian economy, but there is room for expansion. Increased trade through Geelong would deliver significant benefits to the local economy and to the people of Geelong.
The Government will work with the Port of Geelong to help achieve a 130 per cent growth in trade by 2030, and deliver key infrastructure improvements to cater for this increased trade.
The car trade feasibility study will consider a range of issues including:
- economic benefits to the Greater Geelong region
- technical feasibility of the proposal
- port infrastructure/capital requirements and costings
- land transport options and implications
- financing options and responsibilities
- competition and regulatory issues
- Import/export supply chain and related industry impacts
- broader port policy and strategic implications.
The study will encompass the proper planning of adequate depth and maintenance of shipping channels, as well as covering the upgrade of all necessary transport links to the Port of Geelong.
The feasibility study will be undertaken by the Department of Transport in close consultation with the port manager, GeelongPort, car importers and exporters, the Port of Melbourne Corporation, shipping lines, local councils, regional bodies and other key industry and community interests.
The study will commence in March 2011 and is expected to be completed by December 2011.
