23 October 2025 – Port of Melbourne is pleased to participate and support this week’s West of Melbourne Summit.
The Summit is the inaugural conference of the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) and an opportunity for the Port to contribute to the discussion around the future of this important region.
Established in its current location more than 150 years ago, Port of Melbourne’s city-port position allows it to be close to the six million Victorians it serves, ensuring that businesses and communities can efficiently access the products they need to live, work, study, and play.
Among the significant local communities served by Port of Melbourne are those in the neighbouring West of Melbourne region. The Port contributes approximately $2.8 billion in output, $1.5 billion in value-added, and close to $700 million in household income for Melbourne’s West – namely, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Wyndham, Melton, and Moorabool.
Further, the Port and its operations generate more than 8,000 jobs for the region.
During a panel discussion at the Summit themed “Investment Attraction”, Port of Melbourne Chief Financial Officer Leigh Petschel said that the Port’s planned investments represent a real opportunity, not only for the West, but also for the Port to look at new ways to contribute to the region.
“Our contribution is far more than just imports and exports,” said Mr Petschel, “With the Port and its operations already generating billions of dollars in economic activity and thousands of jobs in the West of Melbourne region, there is no doubt that our future developments have the potential to support the region into a prosperous future.”
Since the commencement of its lease in 2016, Port of Melbourne has invested nearly $1 billion in port infrastructure, with a further $700 million expected by 2028-29. With Melbourne set to be Australia’s most populous city by the early 2030s, and Melbourne’s West experiencing the fastest population growth rate in the nation, Port of Melbourne’s private investment is in response to the growing needs of a surging population.
Mr Petschel said that the Port’s planned investments could offer a boost in the region’s employment, particularly in the warehousing, property, construction, and transportation sectors.
He added, “We acknowledge that while the West is one of the biggest beneficiaries of our operations, as the Port develops to meet Victoria’s growing needs, our contribution to the West needs to expand – not just for the economy, but also for the community. There’s a long way to go but we’ve already had great engagement with local councils and groups as we work through our long-term development strategy.”
Port of Melbourne supports WoMEDA’s vision for a prosperous future where the West of Melbourne enjoys the benefits of jobs, opportunity, liveability and sustainable growth.
Port of Melbourne is a proud Principal Sponsor of the 2025 West of Melbourne Summit.