Moree hosts Newcastle Port board

Directors and senior executives of the Port of Newcastle travelled to Moree on June 13 for their first meeting outside Newcastle since the port was privatised.

The port is aiming to develop container terminal facilities and grow the volume of containers shipped through Newcastle.

The PoN group spoke to local council representatives and district exporters in Narrabri and Moree over their three day visit.

The Port of Newcastle group was meeting key stakeholders and advocates for the first time since ‘Port of Newcastle Extinguishment of Liability Act 2022’ was completed, removing a hurdle to the port’s growth.

Narrabri and Moree shire councils and producers have welcomed the port’s growth plans.

“The proposed expansion of the container terminal in Newcastle is great news for our shire not only in terms of freight cost efficiencies for our farmers but also capitalising on future opportunities for our Special Activation Precinct (SAP),” said Moree mayor Mark Johnson.

“The visit allowed the opportunity for council to discuss joint advocacy strategies in relation to the ‘missing link’ of 22 kilometres of the Inland Rail near Moree.

“The completion of this part of the Inland Rail is vital for not only the success of the expanded container terminal but also that of our SAP.

“We look forward to a very positive and fruitful partnership with PON as our goals and vision are very much aligned.”

“The Extinguishment of Liability means the commercial opportunity for Port of Newcastle to build a container terminal is now a realistic proposition,” said Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody.

“This would benefit growers in the North West and New England through competition, which will drive down the cost of exporting goods.”

“Having paid compensation to the NSW government in April to remove the liability that prevented Port of Newcastle from realistically building a container terminal, we were determined to visit and thank our advocates and supporters,”said PoN CEO Craig Carmody.

“NSW farmers and the growers of this region have been steadfast in their support for competition in the market, providing them with an efficient and cost-effective alternative to export their product.

“The North Western visit provides an opportunity for us as a port to listen to their needs, to understand how we can make the supply chain more effective for their needs, ultimately benefitting the growers and the wider economic growth of their communities.”