A “COMPREHENSIVE plan for the future” is how Brendan Bourke has described the final version of the Port of Melbourne’s 30-year Port Development Strategy 2050.

The port CEO said the COVID-19 environment had shown the essential role played in the economy and the critical role of the port in delivering the goods Victorians and Australians needed.

“It’s vital that we all stay focused on the bigger picture – delivering the right infrastructure and operating environment to drive efficiencies in the supply chain so that we can continue to play our role in the state’s economic future,” Mr Bourke said.

Port of Melbourne is investing in 10 infrastructure projects as a means of managing projected growth in population and freight volumes.

The key Port Rail Transformation Project is already underway.

“Moving containers by rail will help get trucks off local roads, particularly in the inner-west of Melbourne,” Mr Bourke said.

PoM released a draft PDS 2050 last year with more than 100 stakeholders from industry, government and the community participating in engagement programs.

“We will continue to refine the 2050 PDS as new and additional information becomes available and we will refresh the document every five years,” Mr Bourke said.

“As a city port, it is important we maintain port buffers, and work with the community to minimise impacts on residents. This is a complex task as the port must be able to operate 24×7 to ensure we remain a competitive port, and continue to provide the vital imports and exports that our city and state require.”