- Published:
- Thursday, 7 August 2025
The Allan Labor Government is reinforcing the Portland’s timber industry’s place as a major local employer and economic force with improved freight roads now supporting businesses across Glenelg Shire.
Member for Western Victorian Jacinta Ermacora today represented Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes in Portland to announce the completion of the Local Freight Roads – Portland project. The project was made possible by a $4.8 million investment from the Victorian Government’s Portland Economic Diversification Plan.
Four timber-freight roads have been upgraded to provide better access in and out of local timber plantations and freight routes. The roads are expected to directly benefit dozens of freight and forestry businesses, and support hundreds of timber workers.
The roads include Heathfield Lindsay Road, Mumbannar-Wanwin Road, and Wilsons Road in Mumbannar, and Fitzgerald Street in Portland. Almost 100 jobs were supported during the construction of the roads.
The Glenelg Shire is part of the Green Triangle – the forestry region of south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia, which is a major contributor to the regional economy due to international demand for timber sourced from the area.
The Port of Portland is the largest sustainable hardwood chip export port in the world, and with throughput volumes hitting 6.1 million tonnes in 2022-23, is a major economic contributor to both Victorian and South Australian regional communities.
The Portland Economic Diversification Plan is designed to strengthen the local economy, remove economic barriers and support long-term growth.
The Labor Government is also continuing its focus on delivering essential infrastructure to support industries and businesses in regional Victoria as part of the Economic Growth Statement. This 'trunk’ infrastructure includes water supply, sewerage, roads and electricity to open the door to more industrial land across the state.
The investments in Portland are part of more than $47 billion invested in regional and rural Victoria in just over a decade.
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“This is a meaningful, practical investment for south-west Victoria’s timber industry with the roads helping to keep local timber businesses rolling for many years to come.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
“I’m delighted to see how our investments through the Portland Economic Diversification Plan are making such a significant contribution to boosting economic and jobs opportunities in the region.”
Quote attributable to Glenelg Shire Council Mayor Karen Stephens
“The completion of the Local Freight Roads Projects upgrades represents not just better roads, but a stronger foundation for our local economy.”