$400m Injection For Webb Dock Automotive Upgrade

by David Sexton - last modified Jun 19, 2012 12:46 PM

The government said the funding would expand existing automotive terminal capacity to handle more than 600,000 vehicles a year and also deliver high quality pre-delivery inspection (PDI) facilities.

Premier Ted Baillieu said the announcement would increase investment in the Port of Melbourne Expansion Project to $1.6bn.

“The automotive aspect of the project will see the construction of 920 metres of new wharves, more than 1000 supporting piles and 24,000 square metres of concrete decking,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Despite tough global economic conditions, Australian-made cars, parts and engines continue to be exported around the world with Toyota dispatching ships carrying Camrys and other models every week from the Port of Melbourne.”

Ports minister Denis Napthine said the $400m investment is the largest commitment to an automotive terminal in Australia.

“Importantly, this project will provide facilities for all PDI operations to take place on-dock. This involves minor works carried out to vehicles prior to delivery,” he said.

“At the moment, about 60 per cent of all imported vehicles are trucked across the West Gate for PDI processing in the western suburbs with about a third of these vehicles then returned across the West Gate a second time for delivery to eastern Victoria.”

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