Australia: Hastings Port Plan Causes Concerns

The Baillieu Government is ignoring departmental advice to consider placing Melbourne’s second major container port at Bay West Port, claims the State Opposition.

“There are significant environmental and transport concerns about the Government’s preferred choice, Hastings,” the Opposition said.

“The Government is refusing to listen to its own departmental advice,” stated Tim Pallas, the Shadow Minister for Ports.

According to the ABC News, Denis Napthine, the Minister for Ports, says Mr Pallas backed the Hastings site in 2009.

“The so-called Bay West option, which is a concept not a real place, would involve an enormous amount of dredging, which would add significant environmental concerns,” he concluded.

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, September 4, 2012; Image: portofhastings