Phillip Islanders have a natural interest in what happens across the bay. Photo: Linda Cuttriss
By Maurice Schinkel
PLANs for the Port of Hastings have loomed large for Phillip Islanders over recent years as we united with residents across the bay to fight off first a major container port and then a floating gas import terminal.
Despite our obvious interest, the Port of Hastings Corporation has released its port strategy for the next three decades without even notifying media in Bass Coast.
The corporation is legally obliged to produce a strategy every five years, with the most recent strategy dated 2018!
PLANs for the Port of Hastings have loomed large for Phillip Islanders over recent years as we united with residents across the bay to fight off first a major container port and then a floating gas import terminal.
Despite our obvious interest, the Port of Hastings Corporation has released its port strategy for the next three decades without even notifying media in Bass Coast.
The corporation is legally obliged to produce a strategy every five years, with the most recent strategy dated 2018!
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The 88-page Port Development Strategy 2055 contains multiple chapters, maps, vision statements, tables, diagrams, timelines, priorities, references to legislation and policies, a glossary, and photographs of varying relevance.
It does not mention Bass Coast, or Bass Coast Shire Council – despite the proximity of the Port to Bass Coast, and the multiple mentions of the Ramsar-listed Western Port wetland in the Bass Coast Planning Scheme. Nor does it mention Phillip Island, beyond a couple of low-key references to a car ferry between Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island. The ferry idea has been floated on and off for decades as a way to boost tourism and provide an alternative access route to Phillip Island, but it has also drawn strong opposition over environmental impacts, cost and the risk of changing the island’s character. |
Have your say The strategy is now open for public consultation, with submissions invited until March 31. |
“Advocate for the further development of the existing Stony Point passenger gateway, such as through opportunities for a future car ferry to Cowes and the provision of safe and efficient public transport services for the French island community.” |
The latest reference suggests that while a ferry may resurface in the future there are no immediate plans to revive the idea.
Notably, there is no return to the idea of a full-scale container port at Hastings, an idea promoted by the Napthine Liberal Government back in 2014, which prompted widespread protests on both sides of the bay. Labor dumped the policy after winning election that year.
Notably, there is no return to the idea of a full-scale container port at Hastings, an idea promoted by the Napthine Liberal Government back in 2014, which prompted widespread protests on both sides of the bay. Labor dumped the policy after winning election that year.
"The State government confirmed in the 2022 Victorian Commercial Ports Strategy that the Port of Hastings is no longer the preferred future location for Victoria’s second container port and not required to be held in reserve." |
With a projected drop in fossil fuel delivery, the strategy positions Hastings as a staging ground for Victoria’s renewable energy transition, including turbine assembly, transport and maintenance.
For communities around Phillip Island, that could mean more shipping traffic passing through Western Port, along with new or expanded port infrastructure on the mainland.
The strategy does not mention the 18 December 2023 determination by the federal Minister for the Environment that the terminal is “clearly unacceptable”.
Nor is there mention of the three (so far) offshore wind farm proposals that have recently been withdrawn from the Gippsland offshore wind zone – projects that may have utilised the terminal.
Dredging of Western Port is mentioned but there is no indication of the scale of the digging out of habitat material proposed for the creation of the terminal.
The strategy advocates the reservation of land for long-term port growth and keeps open the possibility of larger-scale development if required in future.
It acknowledges that Western Port’s internationally recognised wetlands, seagrass beds and rich marine life make it one of Victoria’s most environmentally sensitive coastal areas. Any expansion, it notes, will need to navigate strict environmental safeguards and approval processes.
The corporation has opted for an online public survey as the method for comment on the draft strategy.
One of the questions is, ‘Did you provide a submission as part of the 2024 Port Development Strategy Consultation’, with only a Yes/No response available – not the ability to say whether you even knew of the 2024 consultation!
Maurice Schinkel was a member of Preserve Western Port, which campaigned against the container port and gas import terminal.
For communities around Phillip Island, that could mean more shipping traffic passing through Western Port, along with new or expanded port infrastructure on the mainland.
The strategy does not mention the 18 December 2023 determination by the federal Minister for the Environment that the terminal is “clearly unacceptable”.
Nor is there mention of the three (so far) offshore wind farm proposals that have recently been withdrawn from the Gippsland offshore wind zone – projects that may have utilised the terminal.
Dredging of Western Port is mentioned but there is no indication of the scale of the digging out of habitat material proposed for the creation of the terminal.
The strategy advocates the reservation of land for long-term port growth and keeps open the possibility of larger-scale development if required in future.
It acknowledges that Western Port’s internationally recognised wetlands, seagrass beds and rich marine life make it one of Victoria’s most environmentally sensitive coastal areas. Any expansion, it notes, will need to navigate strict environmental safeguards and approval processes.
The corporation has opted for an online public survey as the method for comment on the draft strategy.
One of the questions is, ‘Did you provide a submission as part of the 2024 Port Development Strategy Consultation’, with only a Yes/No response available – not the ability to say whether you even knew of the 2024 consultation!
Maurice Schinkel was a member of Preserve Western Port, which campaigned against the container port and gas import terminal.