The Melbourne Port Capacity Project has reached another significant milestone with the appointment of the maritime works contractor for a package of works at the Port of Melbourne worth around $400 million.
Minister for Ports David Hodgett announced that McConnell Dowell has been selected to construct the new automotive wharf and waterside infrastructure at the Port of Melbourne’s Webb Dock.
“The design and construct contract will deliver improved waterside infrastructure to Webb Dock including upgraded navigation aids and berth facilities,” Mr Hodgett said.
“The contractor will build a new 920-metre wharf at Webb Dock West that will service the expanded automotive terminal.
“The facility will consolidate the state’s automotive import and export industry by providing capacity to handle more than one million cars by 2040.”
In addition to the automotive works, the contractor will expedite the rebuilding of existing wharves at Webb Dock East. This will enable the appointment and commissioning of Melbourne’s third international container terminal, which is expected to be operational by late 2016.
The works will include low-impact dredging to deepen the shipping berths at Webb Dock, removing around 2.3 million cubic metres of material, which will be managed under strict environmental management controls.
McConnell Dowell will spend the next eight weeks preparing detailed technical and environmental management plans, which must be approved prior to the commencement of works.
“A significant part of the management of works is to ensure that existing commercial operations at Webb Dock can continue to operate throughout the construction period. This is especially important for the state’s automotive exports and for trade between Victoria and its export markets, as well as trade to Tasmania,” Mr Hodgett said.
Overall, the Port Capacity Project is expected to create 1,100 direct jobs and an additional 1,900 indirect jobs.
The operators of the new international container terminal and the new automotive terminal are expected to be announced by mid-2014. (204)
