The New South Wales Government will review ports legislation to tackle inefficiencies and support NSW industry and jobs growth.
A comprehensive review will be undertaken of the Ports and Maritime Administration Act (1995; NSW) and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).
“This review will look at how we can improve efficiency and operations at our ports and I will make recommendations to the Government on any changes to the Act or PBLIS,” said Ed Willet, independent reviewer and former commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), amongst other roles.
Botany, Kembla and Newcastle have grown to contribute more than $6 billion to NSW’s economy each year.
Shipping Australia said the review will consider whether the policy objectives of the Act remain current and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
Whether any changes to PBLIS (in the Act, Regulation or Mandatory Standards) are required, considering: (a) what PBLIS has achieved; (b) what PBLIS is currently achieving; (c) any unintended impacts of PBLIS; and (d) whether PBLIS remains the best approach for promoting the economically efficient operation and use of and investment in land-based port facilities and port-related supply chain facilities. And, if so, whether these arrangements are appropriate, and if not, what are the alternative options.
The leasing arrangements at Botany, Kembla and Newcastle will (largely) not be considered and stevedore charges are also out-of-scope.
Stakeholder engagement will begin in 2022. Following assessment of the Act and PBLIS an Options Paper will be released to facilitate stakeholder discussion and feedback
Stakeholder feedback on the Options Paper will inform the Final Report, which will include Mr Willett’s recommendations to the NSW Government
