Government Call To Extend Port System
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday December 4, 2007
THE State Government wants the existing Newcastle coal export port quota system extended by a year as an alternative to a controversial new port/rail quota being considered by federal regulators.
Ports Minister Joe Tripodi said yesterday he and the Newcastle Port Corporation had lodged separate submissions to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which is considering a new quota system application lodged by rail companies Pacific National and Queensland Rail and loader operator Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS).Mr Tripodi said the industry should not rush into a new arrangement that could damage "any part of the sector"."We've looked at the proposal and our position is clear it would violate the lease [of land by the Government to PWCS] requiring open access to the industry-owned coal loader," Mr Tripodi said.Two submissions have been made public so far by the ACCC.Centennial Coal opposed the proposal and also called for the existing system to be extended for a year.BHP Billiton said it usually opposed "capacity allocation systems" but in this case supported "a whole of industry approach" provided some issues were settled.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald