Recently, the BCNA met senior staff from Ports Victoria to hear an update about plans for Station Pier. This was to hear about progress concerning the Victorian Government’s announcement that it would
“...determine the most suitable option for continuing cruise shipping at Station Pier. This must balance local precinct and visitor experience outcomes with the complexity and cost of maintaining the aged heritage pier. The work will be complemented by a statewide cruise shipping strategy developed with stakeholders to maximise the economic and social benefits of cruise shipping services across regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne." (Page 9, summary)
At the meeting the BCNA was told that the Victorian Government had confirmed Station Pier would continue to be the hub for cruise shipping. Regional ports, such as Hastings, Portland and Phillip Island are to be included in the development of a Victorian Cruise Shipping Industry Strategy. A precinct plan (for the Waterfront Place precinct) is part of this strategy.