Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has announced a $1.2 billion re-development of the Port of Melbourne which ‘will create 2,600 jobs and enhance the economic future of the state’.
Mr Baillieu said the centerpiece of the project would be the construction of a new container terminal at Webb Dock while infrastructure upgrades at Swanson Dock would 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,” Mr Baillieu said.
“The project will provide 700 direct jobs and 1,900 indirect jobs across Victoria, in addition to ensuring we are well placed to cater for the forecast demand in container freight.
“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.
“With container movements in and out of Melbourne increasing in excess of six per cent every year and tipped to reach 8 million TEU by 2035, this announcement is an important part of the Coalition Government’s plan to provide the infrastructure required to meet growing demand.”
