Australia's state government of Victoria has announced the expansion of the Port of Hastings project as part of a major infrastructure development package for the region.
"Without investing to meet future demand, Victoria will reach container capacity by the mid-2020s, even with the benefit of current expansion projects at the Port of Melbourne," commented State Minister for Ports David Hodgett.
"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."
Hastings MP Neale Burgess welcomed the announcement, saying the project would be developed in close consultation with the local community.
"This project represents a transformational change that will provide a major boost to the social and economic well being of Hastings, the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding communities while also ensuring Victoria's rightful position as Australia's leading container hub."
According to Port of Hastings Development Authority CEO Mike Lean, the declaration signaled, "the beginning of the next three to four years of port planning, conceptual design and comprehensive study of the social, economic and environmental effects associated with developing the state's next container port."
