Port of Melbourne market rent inquiry 2025

The Port of Melbourne and its tenants use contracts to set property rents for port of Melbourne land.

This is our second five-yearly inquiry on the Port of Melbourne's process for setting land rents. It involves assessing whether the port's rent-setting process negatively affects consumers.

Our inquiry will assess the setting and reviewing of land rents at the Port of Melbourne over the period 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2024.

Read more about our role in administering the Port of Melbourne regulatory regime. 

The inquiry will consider whether the Port of Melbourne has:

• market power in relation to the process for setting and reviewing land rents
• exercised market power in a way that causes material detriment to Victorian consumers.

If we find there has been a misuse of market power, we may make recommendations on possible economic regulation to the Essential Services Commission Minister. 

As part of the inquiry, we will consider the:

• process used to set and review land rents
• Port of Melbourne’s compliance with this process
• extent to which the land rents paid are ultimately passed through to Victorian consumers.

Submit your feedback on our scope and process paper

We encourage you to provide written submissions addressing the questions in this paper and any other information relevant to the review. This may include suggestions on our approach and commentary on our understanding of the market. 

While all relevant information is welcome, submissions need only address those questions or issues you feel is relevant to your experience in the land rental market at the Port of Melbourne.

Visit the Engage Victoria website to provide your written submission by 14 November 2024.

Online public forum

We are organising an online public forum to provide you with information on our inquiry and opportunities to ask questions. 

• Date: Thursday 7 November 2024
• Time: 11:00am - 11:45am

To register, email your full name, email address, and organisation to transport@esc.vic.gov.au 

Confidential drop-in sessions

We are hosting confidential drop-in sessions for stakeholders to meet with us and provide feedback directly.

• Tuesday 12 November: 10am - 12pm
• Tuesday 12 November: 2pm - 4pm
• Thursday 14 November: 10am - 12pm
• Thursday 14 November: 2pm - 4pm 

If you would like to register for a session, please send an email to transport@esc.vic.gov.au 

Got a question?

Contact us for more information.