Cardinia Shire Council has welcomed the State Government’s decision to develop the Port of Hastings as the second major container port in Victoria.

The State Government is committing $110 million across the next four years to the expansion of the port.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Brett Owen applauded the decision, saying “the building of a world-class container port at Hastings will significantly boost economic growth and job prospects in Cardinia Shire.

“To have this major gateway for import and export trade within 50 kilometres of our municipality will be hugely beneficial for the Shire’s residents and businesses,” Cr Owen said.

“This proximity to the port will give small and big businesses a very sound reason to choose to invest here. This will in turn create more and exciting job opportunities for our residents, and help grow local industry.

“The south eastern fringe of Melbourne around Bunyip has huge potential to become the next major food production and agricultural belt in Victoria. The Hastings port expansion will undoubtedly help the Bunyip Food Belt project, which is an initiative of Cardinia Shire Council and other neighbouring municipalities, move closer to being realised.”