A plan to improve freight transport outcomes in Gippsland has been launched in the Victorian Parliament.
Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Victorian Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder met with Mayors and CEOs from Gippsland’s six regional shires and councils to discuss a unified freight vision for Gippsland.
During the meeting at Parliament House, the Ministers discussed Gippsland’s critical role for Victoria both now and into the future and launched the Gippsland Freight Strategy, which was collaboratively produced by the six shires and councils.
Ryan said the Gippsland region played a fundamental role in meeting Victoria’s electricity needs as well as providing a significant supply of dairy, beef, fruit and vegetable produce, gas and oil.
“The Gippsland region supplies 90 per cent of Victoria’s electricity needs. It also provides 32 per cent of Victoria’s milk, 25 per cent of its beef and 14 per cent of its fruit and vegetables,” said Ryan. “One of the key considerations in ensuring these industries continue to thrive is providing a fully functioning freight network. An efficient freight network, where existing infrastructure is developed and new infrastructure is delivered, is paramount to the continued success of Gippsland’s key industries.
“It is great to see the Gippsland councils working together to produce the Gippsland Freight Strategy which will provide the Victorian Coalition Government with the region’s vision for the future. The Victorian Government will continue to work with the six shires and councils to ensure we can support this vision wherever possible.”
Mulder said the Coalition Government is very much in step with the Gippsland Freight Strategy and is a strong supporter of Victoria’s freight and logistics industry.
“We recognise the enormous contribution the freight and logistics sector makes to the Victorian economy and how important this sector is in supporting the industries and businesses that rely on it,” said Mulder said. “The Victorian Government’s freight and logistics plan, Victoria The Freight State includes the Gippsland Freight Strategy as a fundamental plan for the region and we will work closely with our regional partners in delivering the best solutions possible.
“Already underway for the long term is the expansion of the Port of Hastings as Victoria’s second container terminal, which will deliver enormous benefits to the Gippsland region. Projects such as the upgrade of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale, the sealing of the Omeo Highway, improvements to the Hyland and Strzelecki Highways and the construction of the Koo Wee Rup Bypass will provide significant boosts for freight movements.
“We also recently made a significant investment through the $28 million Transport Solutions program that delivers a series of strategic projects across the freight network to benefit the Gippsland region. All of these measures will help improve freight movement in Gippsland and provide leverage for existing and future industries to grow.”
The six regional shires and councils include Bass Coast Shire, Baw Baw Shire, East Gippsland Shire, South Gippsland Shire, Wellington Shire and Latrobe City Council.
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