Port Development Strategy
GeelongPort has engaged with stakeholders across all facets of the Port community to prepare an updated Port Development Strategy (PDS) for the Port of Geelong.
What is a Port Development Strategy?
The Port Development Strategy (PDS) is a requirement of the Port Management Act 1995 that is defined under Section 91K. The Port Management Act 1995 also provides the legislative standing for a supporting Ministerial Guidelines and stipulates that each PDS is to be prepared at five yearly intervals.
This 2024 PDS for the Port of Geelong replaces the 2018 PDS that was prepared by the Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA), now Ports Victoria. This PDS has been prepared by GeelongPort who have been identified as the relevant Port Authority under the Act.
The importance of the Port
An integral part of the economic and social fabric of the Geelong community for more than 180 years, the Port of Geelong handles a diverse range of trades equalling over 14.66 million tonnes of cargo, valued at more than $10 billion annually.
As the regional Victorian economy continues to grow, the Port of Geelong is well-positioned to facilitate import and export trade opportunities and foster an increasingly diversified trade base.
The PDS aims to provide a roadmap for the development of the Port of Geelong to meet future trade needs over the next 25-30 years.
Key recommendations
- The PDS highlights the criticality of the Port to regional Victorian economic activity and employment, which is underpinned by a strong pipeline of trade opportunities making the development of GeelongPort’s Oyster Cove site a priority.
- Managing the forecast increase in the freight task to 2053 highlights the importance of investing in rail and road network capacity and access for Port users.
- The Port will continue to play an important role in supporting agricultural trades, renewable energy and decarbonisation opportunities. Port managers should continue to collaborate on climate risk factors and seek opportunities to align planning and emissions reduction reporting.
The Port of Geelong footprint
The PDS incorporates all precincts that make up the Port of Geelong which includes a collection of precincts including:
- Refinery Pier
- Lascelles Precinct
- Corio Quay Precinct
- Bulk Grain Terminal
- Point Henry Pier.
Stakeholder engagement
To prepare the PDS, GeelongPort assessed and analysed current and future needs for the Port of Geelong’s services, infrastructure and transport, as well as environmental, community and economic opportunities and risks.
Thank you to all stakeholders and community members who provided feedback and views as they relate to the Port of Geelong, to inform the PDS and future development.
Community feedback was considered alongside data surrounding current and future needs for Port services, infrastructure and transport, as well as environmental, and economic considerations for the Port of Geelong and Victoria more generally.