New ports authority to be based in Geelong

A NEW body that will manage all of Victoria’s ports will be based in Geelong.

G21 has welcomed the establishment of Ports Victoria, which will bring together the Victorian Regional Channels Authority and Victorian Ports Corporation, but hopes it does not adversely affect the operations of the Port of Geelong.

Announced by the state government last week, Ports Victoria will lead the strategic management and operation of Victorian commercial ports and waterways, and will begin operating out of Geelong on July 1.

The creation of Ports Victoria is a finding from the Independent Review of the Victorian Ports System, the first holistic review of the industry in almost 20 years.

“Ports Victoria will ensure our ports operate in a smart, efficient way to support the sector, continue to grow our economy and create jobs,” Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said.

“We thank Mark Curry and all involved in the review, and we continue to examine the findings to determine the best way to support the sector to continue to grow and prosper.”

Geelong MP Christine Couzens said the creation and establishment of Ports Victoria was great news for the city, as it recognised Geelong’s role in the ports system and would create more local jobs and boost the economy.

G21 chief exectuive officer Giulia Baggio said Geelong was an obvious site for Ports Victoria, given the city’s central geographic location, being home to the state’s second largest port and the region’s attractive lifestyle

“The employment and economic benefits of having Ports Victoria in Geelong are important,” Ms Baggio said. “Geelong has proven its credentials with TAC, Worksafe and NDIA as an excellent place for government agencies to locate their headquarters.”

While Ms Baggio welcomed Ports Victoria coming to Geelong, she cautioned against the Port of Geelong and its commercial operator GeelongPort losing any autonomy under the new structure.

“We are fortunate to have one of the most progressive and innovative port operators in GeelongPort,” she said.

“It’s important that this new structure does not impinge on or limit GeelongPort’s operational strengths. “Ports Victoria has arisen from an independent review of the state’s ports. The review will inform a new Victorian Port Strategy, currently under development.

“We will be watching the outcome of that strategy development process closely.”

For a summary of the independent review’s findings, head to transport.vic.gov.au.