Container terminal must wait – Newcastle Herald

Author: By MICHELLE HARRIS State Political Reporter
Date: 20/10/2012
Words: 118
Source: NCH

NEWCASTLE would not be used as a container terminal until Port Botany and Port Kembla were at capacity, state Parliament has been told.

The O’Farrell government introduced legislation on Wednesday to enable the 99-year lease of Kembla and Botany, the proceeds of which are to be spent on infrastructure. At a recent budget estimates hearing, Ports Minister Duncan Gay said the government had not ruled out a container terminal for the Port of Newcastle, despite the privatisation plans.

Pressed by Labor over the timeframe, Mr Gay said it “would be in a situation once the capacities of Port Botany and Port Kembla have been [reached]”.

He also said plans for a Newcastle bulk liquids terminal were moving ahead.