Western Port
Western Port
realestate 3 June 2014
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Sealed with a kiss CRIB Point Advisory Group member Rosemary Evans has received a mayoral commendation from Mornington Peninsula Shire for years of voluntary work as the group’s secretary. Pictured are Hastings MP Neale Burgess (left) and Councillor David Garnock congratulating Ms Evans. See story page 17. Picture: Gary Sissons
Major plug for port plan Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE future development of the Port of Hastings received a major boost last week after it was declared under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act by Minister for Ports David Hodgett. The move paves the way for the planning approvals process to begin – a step MP for Hastings Neil Burgess describes as a major milestone. But, despite the port’s expansion “representing a transformational change that will provide a major boost
to the social and economic wellbeing of Hastings, the Peninsula and surrounding communities while also ensuring Victoria’s rightful position as Australia’s leading container port”, there’s plenty of local opposition. The Greens do not support establishment of a container port at Hastings, with MLC Sue Pennicuik saying the state government is “trying to avoid environmental protection laws in pushing through its proposal”. She describes the facilitation act as “a way for governments to avoid proper scrutiny of the environmental and social impacts of their favourite
transport projects”. And the French Island Port Stoppers say an informal poll of island residents and landholders in May attracted 58 responses with the “overwhelming majority” – 88 per cent – saying they are against the port’s expansion with 5 per cent for it and 7 per cent undecided. Meanwhile, Bass Coast Council is funding a study into the environmental impact of the port expansion late next month. It will develop a “range of scenarios that give proper weight to environmental values as well as their contribution to the economy of the area”. That action is being supported by the
Preserve Western Port Action Group, which says “the community is extremely concerned at the impact the proposed development will have on the environment and ecology of Western Port”. Its members are “delighted that the council is funding the project and supporting the community”. Mr Hodgett said investment in the Port’s expansion would “translate into the creation of thousands of on-going Victorian jobs for decades, while retaining our position as the nation’s freight and logistics capital”. He said: “Without investing to meet future demand, Victoria will reach
Hastings
container capacity by the mid-2020s, even with the benefit of current expansion projects at the Port of Melbourne. “This is why the Port of Hastings expansion is so critical to preserving our export and manufacturing industries and supporting the future liveability and economic growth of the state.” Mr Burgess said the project’s declaration provided certainty on the assessment-and-approval process. He said it would “ensure a full and independent evaluation of the project, taking into account the needs and feedback of the community”. Continued on Page 16
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