Land planning law a boon to Australian ports

Ports Australia has lauded moves by the New South Wales Government, which has declared the state’s three major ports “significant sites” in an effort to smooth planning and control of the land.

The designation affects Port Botany, Port Kembla and the port of Newcastle and has been locked into the State Environmental Planning Policy, meaning that in future the ports will benefit from consistent planning and better zoning of port land.

The ports should also be protected by the barring of incompatible uses of neighbouring land. The net effect is hoped to be greater certainty in long-term planning.

Ports Australia has responded to the moves by calling it a “very substantial and positive step” which would not only give the ports security of future development but also promote a close and harmonious relationship between ports and their surrounding communities.

Suggesting other governments could follow suit, the organisation said: “Significant long-term growth is predicted in both our resources and container trades and it is imperative that ports are well positioned to plan effectively and with adequate land to support future growth.”