THE state government yesterday announced a $1.2billion expansion of the Port of Melbourne, including the redevelopment of Webb Dock as a container port.
Confirming plans reported in the Weekly last month, the government said a new container terminal would be built at Webb Dock and upgrades at Swanson Dock would increase handling capacity at the port’s existing container terminals.
The port handled a record 2.5million containers in 2010-11.
The container number is tipped to reach 8million by 2035.
Webb Dock will be connected to the West Gate Freeway and Premier Ted Baillieu said the truck access would mean Williamstown Road in Port Melbourne would be “completely free” of port trucks.
About $10million will be spent on “buffering and beautification” works around the port.
The government said the port expansion would help it cope until the Port of Hastings was operational in 10-15 years.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said the expansion was good for jobs but bad for the communities living nearby which would have trucks rumbling past their front doors.
“It’s downright misleading for the Ports Minister, Denis Napthine, to say that the proposed expansion of the Port of Melbourne will take trucks out of suburbia.
“This is simply wrong. The reality is that the government’s proposal will add greater pressure and congestion to the West Gate Bridge.
“This will force commuters and trucks to bypass the West Gate corridor altogether and hit local roads instead.”
Mr Noonan said a second river crossing was desperately needed to direct trucks away from Yarraville.
“There is also likely to be some adverse impacts for Williamstown and Newport residents living along the Strand as a result of this proposal.
“These include visual, noise and light spill.”
