Long-term port planning in the Australian state of Victoria needs to improve if it is to handle its future freight task, according to Opposition infrastructure and ports spokesman David Hodgett.
Mr Hodgett says Victoria faces massive challenges, with its population booming.
The former ports minister said the state was the freight and logistics capital of Australia with the largest container port, namely the Port of Melbourne with 37% of container trade in the country.
Also the ports of Geelong and Portland were “going gangbusters”, supported by a good road and rail network.
However, big challenges remain with the state growing about 90,000 people per year and any current problems will likely be worse by the early 2030s.
“Port of Melbourne has two major challenges – access and capacity. The port will start to max-out in coming years,” said Mr Hodgett.
“The reality is, if you have a look at the trade forecasts and the Port of Melbourne annual report and the Infrastructure Australia annual report, the Port of Melbourne will start to reach capacity again in the early 2030s. If we’re not planning our next international container port, if we’re not doing something about capacity, we’re going to be in real strife.”
