- Minister for Ports and Freight
Plans are now underway to develop the Victorian Ports Strategy, which will include an industry-led review into Victorian coastal shipping aimed at maximising opportunities for local jobs and further investment in the industry
The decision to develop a new Victorian Ports Strategy was made last year as part of the Victorian Freight Plan - Delivering the Goods. The freight plan also established Freight Victoria, a one stop shop for Victoria's freight industry, laying out a blueprint to grow our economy, create jobs and take more trucks off local roads.
As part of the development of the port strategy, the Victorian Government also requested a review into Victorian coastal shipping to augment the recent national inquiry to coastal shipping.
Freight Victoria will shortly begin engaging industry on both the strategy and the review into coastal shipping.
Freight Victoria will consult with representatives including freight customers and operators, shipping businesses, towage operators, economic development organisations, unions, local government, ports and channel authorities, and ports services providers to ensure their input helps shape the strategy and review.
The Andrews Labor Government is closely consulting all industry and community stakeholders in the development of the Victorian Ports Strategy to identify barriers and assess options for policy reform, including opportunities to strengthen Victoria's coastal shipping industry and support the creation of more local jobs.
The ports strategy will also look at opportunities for coordination with the Commonwealth's current review of freight and supply chain productivity. The coastal shipping review will examine the regional economic growth Victorian coastal shipping creates and identify ways to maximise the employment of Victorian seafaring labour.
This work is in addition to the review underway into infrastructure pricing at, and access to and from, the Port of Melbourne. A review into regulating pricing and charges was brought forward, as well as access to and from the Port, following increases in stevedore infrastructure charges at the Port.
The consideration of the strategy and review will include investigations into the performance and ways to maximise the capacity of our ports including Melbourne, Geelong, Portland, Hastings and Gippsland
The Labor Government has delivered unprecedented investment into projects to support the efficient movement of freight, including the Murray Basin Rail Project, the M80 Upgrade, the West Gate Tunnel, the Port Rail Shuttle Network and regional freight route upgrades.
Information on the proposed Victorian Port Strategy and Coastal Shipping Review is available at transport.vic.gov.au/ports-and-freight/key-freight-projects. Submissions regarding the strategy and review can now be provided by email or post, with more information available on the website.
As noted by Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
"We've delivered unprecedented investment to support the efficient movement of freight, which we hope will see all parts of the freight and supply chain maximise local industry, local exporters and local jobs."
"The Coastal Shipping Review will examine the regional economic growth created by Victorian coastal shipping, while identifying ways to maximise the employment of Victorian seafaring labour."
"We are keen to work closely with key industry stakeholders as part of this review, as we look to maximise the economic benefits created by Victorian coastal shipping, while creating greater opportunities for local jobs and to move goods from the paddock to the port."
