DODO Diary

Despite further questioning, the State Government is maintaining its policy of not ruling in or out a low rail bridge in front of the Bolte Bridge connecting its Webb and Dynon port facilities.

Docklands-based Channel 7 questioned the State Government last month on its intentions to build the bridge, which is planned to be only eight metres above the water.

Port of Melbourne CEO Stephen Bradford told reporter Norm Beaman that nothing would happen regarding the rail link within the next 10 years.

And Roads Minister Tim Pallas’s chief of staff has told Defend our Docklands … or (DODO) convenor Michael Lindell that should the Government decide to develop an initial stage of Webb Dock, a rail link would not be necessary.

In a letter to Mr Lindell, Cressida Wall said: “If an initial development at Webb Dock were to be approved, there is considered to be sufficient capacity in the road network to accommodate a new terminal of this scale.”

The initial development aims to handle up to one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).  

The Government’s current port policy document Future Ports, says the one million TEUs would handle expected growth until 2020.

Mr Lindell said the Government was still silent on what would happen beyond 2020.  He said port documents had stated potential demand of 8 million containers by 2035.  

Ms Wall concluded her letter to Mr Lindell with:  “Port Futures notes that the existing planning reservation for the Webb Dock Rail Link will be maintained.  Future consideration of the rail link will depend on determination of the role of Webb Dock in meeting the state’s longer term container capacity requirements.”