NSW Ports Strategy

NSW ports are vital to the NSW and national economies with approximately $80 billion in trade passing through the NSW ports every year. It is therefore critical that the development and management of these ports, and the supply chains that support them, be planned for the long term.

The NSW Ports Strategy, which is currently being developed by Transport for NSW, will provide a clear direction to industry, government and the community on how NSW ports will be developed over the next 25 years to accommodate the forecast trade growth through NSW ports.

This long term commitment is essential for industry to make informed business and investment decisions in how to best move freight in and out of the State. This should lead to greater investment in both port supply chains and import / export related businesses and therefore better commercial outcomes for the NSW economy, business community and residents.

The NSW Ports Strategy provides an opportunity to build on the current port infrastructure expansion and efficiency improvements which have been implemented since the 2003 Ports Growth Plan (see summary sheet below). The 2003 Ports Growth Plan provided the framework to develop NSW port capacity over the past nine years. The following key elements of the Plan have been implemented:

• Commencement of the Port Botany third container terminal
• Sydney Harbour remains a working port retaining the import of materials to support the construction industry, cruise shipping and petroleum products
• The former Newcastle steelworks land at Mayfield is progressively being developed to support future growth of the port
• The motor vehicle and general cargo trade was relocated from Sydney Harbour to Port Kembla.

With trade expected to grow strongly through NSW ports for the foreseeable future, and key elements of the Ports Growth Plan now complete, it is time to reconsider the future long-term issues and priorities facing our ports. The NSW Ports Strategy is being developed within this context.

The NSW Ports Strategy is linked to the NSW Freight Strategy and will be integrated into the overall NSW Transport Master Plan .

NSW Ports Growth Plan - summary sheet

Aerial photographs:

• View 1 - aerial view of Port Kembla inner & outer harbour
• View 2 - simulated view of Port Kembla inner harbour development
• View 3 - aerial view of Sydney Harbour port facilities
• View 4 - aerial view of Port Botany
• View 5 - simulated view of proposed Port Botany development
• View 6 - aerial view of Newcastle Port
• View 7 - simulated view of proposed multipurpose terminal - Newcastle

The 2003 Ports Growth Plan provides a framework within which the Government, industry and the community will work to ensure future growth and development of port capacity in NSW.

Sydney Harbour is and will remain a working port, retaining import of materials to support the construction industry (e.g. cement, gypsum, soda ash), cruise shipping, long-term oil imports and maritime construction, maintenance and repairs.

Sydney is the major cruise ship hub for Australia's east coast.

The core directions of the Plan are:

• Containers, general cargo and car stevedoring from Port Jackson will be progressively encouraged to relocate to Port Kembla as existing leases expire, subject to satisfactory commercial negotiations being completed between the lessees and the Port Kembla Port Corporation
• The former BHP steelworks site at Newcastle Port will be secured for port use. When Port Botany reaches capacity Newcastle will be the state's next major container facility
• An Independent Commission of Inquiry will be held to examine Sydney Ports Corporation's Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement to expand container facilities at Port Botany. The Commission of Inquiry will be open to community submissions.
• In relation to Sydney Harbour port lands, the Minister for Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources will develop a masterplan to:
  • Retain White Bay for working maritime uses
  • Create an unbroken run of public access to the foreshore of the harbour between Woolloomooloo and the Anzac Bridge
  • Preserve Millers Point for a future iconic development
• The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources will examine how to increase the proportion of containers moved by rail to and from the ports to intermodal terminals in both the Sydney metropolitan area and regional NSW.

The Government will work towards the implementation of the core directions of the Plan in consultation with industry groups and the community.