Port plans target local link

PAKENHAM could become a major freight link under plans to build new rail lines from Gippsland to the developing Port of Hastings.
A 30year project costing up to $4 billion to build Victoria’s next international shipping container may see new road and rail links established though the Cardinia Shire.
The Department of Infrastructure has released its draft Port of Hastings Land Use and Transport Strategy for community consultation.
The document shows the preferred freight route connecting the port to Gippsland would include the PakenhamKooweerup Road with a local bypass of Kooweerup.
In the long term, a new rail corridor could also run alongside the BaxterTooradin Road before cutting through Cardinia Shire to Pakenham.
Included in the strategy is a proposal to build new rail tracks between Clyde and Officer.
Residents’ input has been sought on the draft document.
Port of Hastings chief executive officer Ralph Kenyon said the strategy represented a longterm plan for the future growth of the port.
The project won’t be completed until about 2035 but is expected to provide strong economic benefits to the region.
Hastings port has deeper water than Melbourne’s port and can accommodate most large container ships.
Mr Kenyon said the strategy remained in draft form and could change over time.
But he acknowledged Pakenham as being a major potential player in the project.
“Our study has investigated a number of road and rail transport corridor options, including development of a new rail link to Pakenham to pick up Gippsland trade,” he said.
According to the draft strategy, 3410 truck movements per day would be generated by the anticipated trade include.
This includes trucks coming and going from the Hastings port between Cardinia Shire, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
There could also be 16 trains servicing the port each day, mostly carrying containers and a small amount of breakbulk.