While not calling for outright Government intervention nor that councils be pushed to sell their local ports, Mr Parker nonetheless lamented that most ports are making “truly abysmal financial returns on their assets”.
Sydneys peak pricing criticised
Small trucking firms have complained that they could be forced out of business by Sydney Ports Corporations proposed peak pricing scheme, which would charge a A$160 (US$127.5) fee per truck for daytime calls at the port. The Australian Trucking Association New South Wales branch has said this could require an extra A$1m (US$796,600) in cash flow each year to meet the charges, which would be difficult to pass on to customers. Sydney Ports said a cost benefit analysis of the impact was underway.