Port submissions number in the hundreds

By Elizabeth Lillis
THE Port of Hastings Corpotation (PoHC) has received about 500 submission on the controversial Port of Hastings Draft Land Use and Transport Strategy.
The PoHC’s draft strategy outlines plans for a $4 billion project to expand facilities at the port and introduce new transport links, including a rail route through the townships of Clyde and Cardinia, connecting the port to Gippsland.
PoHC chief executive Ralph Kenyon said he was not surprised there were a large number of submissions.
“It is a significant project, the port expansion, and we need to hear these views and they need to be taken into account,” he said.
Mr Kenyon said the feedback would be analysed and a summary of issues in the feedback included in the report to the State Government on the draft strategy, which is due to be completed by the middle of the year.
The period for feedback on the draft strategy was extended early this year and closed last Wednesday, 14 March.
The Southern Victoria Community Action Group (SVCAG), a group of concerned residents who have united in strong opposition to the draft strategy, lodged an eightpage submission.
SVCAG spokeswoman Catherine Manning said the group had opted to present the concerns of everyday people in its submission over presenting significant facts and figures they had gathered since becoming aware of the draft strategy in November.
The group was critical of public consultation process for the draft strategy and strongly opposed the selected route for the Gippsland rail link in its submission.
Members also called on for an environmental effects study to be completed prior to any land acquisitions, planning scheme amendments or portrelated infrastructure developments.
The group has held four public meetings and a rally since learning about the draft strategy.
Mrs Manning said the group was keen to continue to be involved in monitoring the progress of the draft strategy and would be hosting an informal meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at 7.30pm at the Clyde Hall.
Local councils have also lodged submissions based on their adopted views.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said at the time the City of Casey debated the draft strategy that the council would support in principle an alternative “dual use transport corridor” of rail and road freight on the Westernport Highway to Dandenong South, with the possibility to then link into Gippsland via the Pakenham rail line and the Monash Freeway.
Cardinia Shire Council last month resolved to support the port expansion, but to oppose the plan for a rail route through the townships of Clyde and Cardinia.
Councillors want a major eastwest road built to link new industrial areas around Pakenham and Officer to the Westernport Highway, which could also provide the rail route.
Eastern Victoria Region MP Edward O’Donohue last week called on the Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas to rule out the proposed Gippsland rail link in the strategy.