The state government’s fast tracking of planning approvals for Melbourne’s $1.6 billion ‘port capacity project’ has been welcomed by the Australian Industry Group.
The upgrades will be of great benefit to dealers and distributors alike, with the project including the creation of an automotive facility on the western side of Webb Dock. This state of the art facility will deliver additional dock capacity for vehicle export and imports.
Melbourne’s existing automotive terminal capacity will be expanded to handle in excess of 600,000 vehicles annually – as well as delivering world class, on-dock, pre-delivery inspection facilities.
AI Group Victorian director, Tim Piper, says the re-prioritising of plans has provided a welcome boost to industry with a recognition that projects such as this need to be given the green light as soon as possible.
“This is an important announcement for the local economy, as it faces many challenges. It will also help boost other local industries which rely heavily on the Port of Melbourne,” says Piper.
It’s not the first time project has been upgraded: last June saw the Victorian government put up an extra $400 million to consolidate the import and export auto trade at Webb Dock west – the largest commitment to an automotive terminal in Australia.
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