CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 47

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(b) No representations were made to the Committee that any

(c)

deficiencies exist in the present arrangements for the

day to day administration of the Port from the marine

point of view.

That certain physical deficiencies and defects now exist in

port facilities, notably that

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(i) certain piers have been allowed to fall into decay

(particularly in Western Victoria and in the Yaunati

Typhoon Refuge);

(ii) the Yaumati Typhoon Refuge is becoming silted up; (iii) certain piers and landing places are inappropriate

or inadequately equipped for present-day needs; (iv) great congestion exists on parts of the water front

in the Central and Western portions of Victoria.

The Committee is of the opinion that the remedying of

these deficiencies and defects is dependent upon the decision

of Government on four matters of policy, namely,

(1) the renewal of pier leases, or the grant of new leases; (2) the further reclamation of land in Central and Western

Victoria;

(3) the filling in, or alternatively the dredging, of the

Yaumati Typhoon Refuge; and

(4) the preparation of an overall plan for the development

of the Colony.

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The Committee is of the opinion that early decision

and action to implement such decision on the first and

second of these matters by Government is of the utmost

importance.

With regard to the third, the selection of an

alternative site for the Typhoon Refuge in the event of a

decision to fill in the Yaumati Refuge presents certain

problems and may involve delay owing to the need for wind

tests over a considerable period. Government should therefore

make investigation of the problems involved a matter for its

immediate concern.