Start of a new era for Port Kembla

1:00 AM Mon 24 Nov 2008 GMT

NSW Government Media
Start of a new era for Port Kembla

A ceremony marking the official relocation of NSW's motor vehicle trade to Port Kembla was held today, heralding a bright future for the Illawarra. Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the transfer of cars to Port Kembla will make the port the largest vehicle-importing hub in Australia. "The relocation of vehicle, general and containerised trade from Sydney has seen Port Kembla's Inner Harbour undergo a dramatic transformation over the past three years," Mr Tripodi said.

"More than $170 million has been spent on the port upgrade which includes new berths, a bridge over rail, road and rail realignment and new cargo-handling facilities. The Rees Government has met the challenge to transform Port Kembla into a modern general purpose cargo handling facility - to accommodate car imports and meet the demands for logistics, capacity and efficiency. "These challenges included building the new infrastructure on time and on budget.

"This development creates significant opportunities, not only for the Port Kembla Port Corporation but also for the region and the state of NSW." An independent economic impact study, predicts that over the next four years the port expansion will lead to 1300 new jobs and pump an additional $140 million per annum into the Illawarra regional economy, with flow-on effects across NSW.

Approximately 270,000 new vehicles are expected to be imported through the port in 2008-09, rising to 295,000 by 2011-12. An additional 400 vessels will visit annually and take the port total to close to 1000 per year. Most general cargo for NSW will be handled over this facility.

Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said all the work underpinned the Government's commitment to support the economy and people of the Illawarra. "It's real investment delivering real jobs and prosperity for a critical region of our State," Mr Campbell said.

"The Port Corporation's focus will be on developing and growing new business opportunities created by the trade diversification. This major infrastructure project has proven to be a catalyst by which new businesses have been attracted to the port."

Construction is expected to commence in 2010 on the development of the Port Kembla's Outer Harbour which will cater for any trade influx well into the future. Wollongong MP Noreen Hay said the Master Plan provides for up to seven additionalberths to be built and 52 hectares of land to be reclaimed.

"Increased land and berth capacity will allow Port Kembla to accommodate future growth," Ms Hay said. "This will enable Port Kembla to capitalise on these new and exciting opportunities, securing the future of not only the port, but the region and the state"

by NSW Government Media

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing

Start of a new era for Port Kembla

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports

Buy & Sell/Classifieds