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Geelong at the helm of state’s ports Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au THE centre of control for Victoria’s commercial ports, including Hastings, has moved from Melbourne to Geelong. The Port of Hastings’ harbourmaster Captain Shane Vedamuttu will remain based at Crib Point. The newly-formed Ports Victoria combines the Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA) and Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) and will control the strategic management and operation of the state’s commercial ports and waterways. The change follows an independent review of the ports system which included 60 recommendations and was handed to the state government in November 2020. The management move to Geelong comes four years after the Victorian Regional Channels Authority took over managing the Port of Hastings after it had been run by Patrick Ports Hastings, also known as Linx Stevedoring (“State resumes port control” The News 4/7/17). “Ports Victoria will ensure our ports operate in a smart, efficient way to support the sector, continue to grow our economy and create jobs,” Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said. The review concluded there was no “immediate need” to change to the direct management of local ports but suggested there was merit in “examining how local ports could benefit from the maritime expertise of the commercial ports”. The review recommended Ports Victoria reinforce the harbourmaster role by “consolidating and clarifying lines of accountability for the ports of Melbourne, Geelong, Portland
and Hastings”. It also called for “stronger regulatory oversight of pilotage services to ensure adoption of safe operating practices and to support development of a robust performance-management framework”. “Ports Victoria will be responsible for ensuring licensed pilotage services are available to service arriving and departing vessels.” The Ports Victoria board is chaired by Howard Ronaldson, a former secretary of the departments of infrastructure and business and innovation. He has also been an administrator with Ambulance Victoria and most recently assessed the viability of the Port Rail Shuttle proposal for the Department of Transport. Elaine Carbines is the board’s deputy Chairperson for the board, which also includes Des Powell, Janice van Reyk and Peter Tuohey. About $26 billion of locally produced and manufactured exports pass through Victoria’s commercial ports each year and freight volumes are expected to more than double over the next 30 years. The review found that buffer controls for incompatible uses in the land surrounding the state’s commercial ports needed strengthening. It also “noted” the lack of adequate recognition and protection of land and access corridors needed for a future port at Bay West, which has been earmarked for the container port originally planned at Hastings. The most recent shipping list from the Port of Hastings shows that in the seven days from 16 July Western Port would be visited by four ships: the Daiwan Miracle, Sinndar, EOS Victory and Alexandros. The ships were carrying liquid gas and steel. The full response from government to the review will be released later this year. For a summary of the independent review’s findings, visit transport.vic.gov.au
THE 180 metre long tanker Nord Olympia at Crib Point in February. Picture: Gary Sissons
WHILE a into Victoria’s commercial ports has come up with few immediate changes, it does foreshadow a tightening of rules for pilot services and “reinforcement” of the roles played by harbourmasters.
PANORAMIC view across Western Port from Hastings. Picture: Kacie Melfi
Input invited to update region’s strategy FEEDBACK is being invited on the draft Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy. The strategy, described as the key integrated framework to manage natural resources in the catchment, is being renewed for 2021-27 with public comment invited until Sunday 1 August. The Port Phillip and Western Port region has diverse and unique ecosystems while also being home to more than 75 per cent of Victoria’s population. They encompass urban Melbourne, growth centres on the urban fringe, highly-productive farm land, forested parks and ranges, and a network of rivers, wetlands and estuaries which flow into Port Phillip and Western Port. Challenges include climate change, increasing urbanisation, population growth and loss of biodiversity. The strategy has been developed in collaboration with traditional owners and regional agencies, organisations, groups and communities. The Port Phillip and Western Catchment Management Authority’s CEO David Buntine said this fourth strategy had been built on more than two decades of
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Southern Peninsula News
28 July 2021
collaborative achievements and lessons learnt. “The strategy brings together planning and information on land, water and biodiversity, demonstrating how these each connect across the region and at a local level,” he said. “We want to ensure the strategy reflects everyone’s priorities and aspirations for the environment and their role in looking after it.” He said the strategy described how land, water and biodiversity was managed across the region, as well as assessing its current condition and identifying targets for its future health. It also looks at how on-ground work will contribute to implementing government policies and targets, while incorporating the knowledge and priorities of local communities. Organisations and communities are invited to view the draft strategy and provide feedback by the cut-off date. The feedback will be reviewed, and the final version of the strategy submitted to the state government. See the strategy at portphillipwesternport.rcs.vic. gov.au
RED-necked avocets take flight over Western Port. Picture: Andrew Morrison