Dock becomes busier there could be more Environmental and social interaction between trucks and residential areas around Port Melbourne. considerations In the west, some truck traffic travels through residential areas in Footscray, Yarraville and Seddon to access transport yards and empty Why is this important? container parks in the inner west. There are Considering the social and environmental increasing competing land use demands between impacts of increasing capacity at the Port of the Port and residential uses. Both have been Melbourne, alongside the economic costs, is there for over 100 years and have developed critical to ensure our advice is comprehensive together, but it is not sustainable to substantially and balanced. increase the number of trucks servicing the Port without addressing these land use issues. We recognise this is a significant issue for nearby communities, which was reflected in the The Environment Protection Authority measured submissions we received on our September major air pollutants associated with motor vehicle 2016 discussion paper Preparing advice on emissions on Francis Street, Yarraville in 2013. future ports capacity. Victoria’s The final report of this monitoring program indicates the air quality and noise levels in Francis Street are worse than surrounding areas. Social There are several social factors related to Increasing rail mode share may be part of the increasing Port of Melbourne capacity. These solution, but even 30 per cent rail mode share (an factors are not hard constraints on aggressive target) will still not stop an increase in development, but should be considered, Port capacity from also increasing truck numbers. assessed and potentially mitigated as part of any future development. We recognise that if social factors are not mitigated or managed appropriately, they may influence a decision about whether to increase capacity at the Port of Melbourne or invest in a second port. Traffic, amenity and health Without significant investment in landside transport networks, the Port of Melbourne operating at 2-5 times its existing capacity would place significant pressure on transport infrastructure and reduce amenity for those living near the port. We heard during consultation that some local residents feel the Port of operation is not Melbourne’s complementary with surrounding land uses, and has a social impact on nearby residents. The Port of Melbourne generates significant truck traffic, with close to 90 per cent of containers entering or leaving the port on trucks. Trucks can impact on residential areas through noise and vibration, the potential health impacts of diesel fumes, and safety concerns about heavy vehicles driving on suburban streets. The main interaction between port related trucks and residential areas is in the inner west. As the international terminal container at Webb
Environmental and social considerations Why is this important? Considering the social and environmental impacts of increasing capacity at the Port of Melbourne, alongside the economic costs, is critical to ensure our advice is comprehensive and balanced. We recognise this is a significant issue for nearby communities, which was reflected in the submissions we received on our September 2016 discussion paper Preparing advice on Victoria’s future ports capacity. Social There are several social factors related to increasing Port of Melbourne capacity. These factors are not hard constraints on development, but should be considered, assessed and potentially mitigated as part of any future development. We recognise that if social factors are not mitigated or managed appropriately, they may influence a decision about whether to increase capacity at the Port of Melbourne or invest in a second port. Traffic, amenity and health Without significant investment in landside transport networks, the Port of Melbourne operating at 2-5 times its existing capacity would place significant pressure on transport infrastructure and reduce amenity for those living near the port. We heard during consultation that some local residents feel the Port of Melbourne’s operation is not complementary with surrounding land uses, and has a social impact on nearby residents. The Port of Melbourne generates significant truck traffic, with close to 90 per cent of containers entering or leaving the port on trucks. Trucks can impact on residential areas through noise and vibration, the potential health impacts of diesel fumes, and safety concerns about heavy vehicles driving on suburban streets. The main interaction between port related trucks and residential areas is in the inner west. As the international terminal container at Webb Dock becomes busier there could be more interaction between trucks and residential areas around Port Melbourne. In the west, some truck traffic travels through residential areas in Footscray, Yarraville and Seddon to access transport yards and empty container parks in the inner west. There are increasing competing land use demands between the Port and residential uses. Both have been there for over 100 years and have developed together, but it is not sustainable to substantially increase the number of trucks servicing the Port without addressing these land use issues. The Environment Protection Authority measured major air pollutants associated with motor vehicle emissions on Francis Street, Yarraville in 2013. The final report of this monitoring program indicates the air quality and noise levels in Francis Street are worse than surrounding areas. Increasing rail mode share may be part of the solution, but even 30 per cent rail mode share (an aggressive target) will still not stop an increase in Port capacity from also increasing truck numbers.
Advice_on_securing_Victorias_ports_-_accessible_version_-_FINAL.docx