Prime Mover Magazine

Industry welcomes Port of Melbourne bill passage

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) and the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) have welcomed the Victorian Government's Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction Bil, which passed through Parliament last week.

"This concludes months of negotiations and will maximise Port of Melbourne lease proceeds and subsequent funding for removal of level crossings and other vital roads and transportation infrastructure, particularly in regional Victoria," commented VTA CEO, Peter Anderson. 

"The VTA from day one has supported leasing the Port of Melbourne and we are pleased that the lease can be enacted via legislation instead of the Treasurer using his administrative powers.

"A legislated outcome means more money for regional road and transport infrastructure through the $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund, which can be established as soon as the Port is leased.

"That Fund will enable investment in vital infrastructure to help farmers and other primary producers get their goods to market faster and more efficiently, which is an important driver of economic growth in Victoria."