By CASEY NEILL
THE Port of Hastings project lost $80 million in last week’s State Budget in a blow to the Greater Dandenong business community which had been advocating for the port, saying it would bring the region thousands of jobs and billions of dollars.
But Hastings MP Neale Burgess said the State Government had stripped the Port of Hastings Development Authority of all remaining money.
“This disgraceful decision is a major blow for jobs, businesses and the economy in the Western Port area and the south east region,” he said.
Mr Burgess said Labor had pledged to “take advice about where Victoria’s second container port should be built”.
“Even groups that were concerned about development of the Port of Hastings have spoken in glowing terms about the importance and high quality of the work that was being carried out by the Port of Hastings Development Authority,” he said.
Roads and Ports Minister Luke Donnellan said the Port of Hastings Development Authority would receive funding to manage the day-to-day operations of the port and to chase further investment opportunities.
“The Andrews Government is committed to the development of a second container port which will be demand-driven,” he said.
“The government will assess locations at Bay West and Port of Hastings and obtain advice from Infrastructure Victoria on the preferred location.
“No decision will be made on the future of Victoria’s next container port until Infrastructure Victoria concludes its review.”
