Hastings box terminal development makes headway
The release of expressions of interest for four key feasibility phase work packages for the Port of Hastings container expansion project has confirmed the continued progress of the contentious south Australian development.
The Port of Hastings Development Authority (PoHDA) is looking to secure specialist consultants for four work packages: port planning and design, environmental and social, hydrodynamics and legal services.
“The feasibility phase will inform a final development decision from the Victorian Government on the development of an expanded port at Hastings,” said Mike Lean, chief executive, PoHDA.
“We anticipate the project will take about three years to progress through feasibility before entering procurement and delivery, on track for an operational container port in the mid 2020,” he added.
Work packages for commercial and economics advisory and risk management will shortly progress directly to requests for tender.
Over the next four years, the authority will look at port design options and will carry out preliminary studies and fieldwork, impact assessments and detailed scientific studies to build a business case.
The project’s progression is backed by AUS$110m (US$105.67m) funding from the Victorian government.
While the government says the project is a key part of its freight and logistics planning blueprint entitled Victoria the Freight State, environmental groups have expressed doubts as to whether the level of investment required to build the terminal will be too high.
Despite this, the PoHDA says with container throughput at the Port of Melbourne expected to quadruple over the next 25 years, the Hastings expansion is critical for the future of the growing freight trade.
