Ports Australia applauds Government investment

Ports Australia has, on behalf of the port community yesterday (Wednesday, May 14), applauded the Federal Government's $20bn Building Australia Fund, which recognised that port infrastructure had to be “front and centre” in Australia's national economic infrastructure requirements.

On Tuesday night (May 13), the Federal Government announced a $3.2bn investment in road, rail and port projects across the country, along with a $20bn Building Australia Fund, created to support national infrastructure that could not be funded by states or private enterprise.

Ports Australia executive director, David Anderson, said that port infrastructure, including road and rail access, would need to be addressed to cope with predicted growth in both container and bulk trades.

“Ports Australia's members are now most pleased to see that this new organisation will have a substantial and assured source of funding to finance outcomes from its national infrastructure audit,” Mr Anderson said.

He said that the Government had recognised the need for new funding arrangements that went beyond AusLink, which would be necessary to ensure that the development of infrastructure, supporting trade and national economic development, kept pace with growth.

“The efficient functioning of your cities is indistinguishable from the efficient functioning and long-term viability of our city-based ports,” Mr Anderson said.

“The proposed measures will not only promote the safe and efficient movement of people and freight through built-up areas, it is also an improvement component in reducing traffic conflict and promoting good relationships between ports and the communities with whom they co-exist.”

But Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin told Lloyd's List DCN that port investment would need to focus on container terminals and not just on bulk unloading ports, like iron ore and coal.

“I think its incumbent with the State Government to come into a coherent and transparent process so that we continue to develop port infrastructure that meets the whole of the national interest, rather than be driven by state and colloquial interests,” Mr Crumlin said.

“So while I appreciate that the funding is there, it becomes very important now to develop a national approach and a national agreement between the states and the Federal Government to how that money can be dispersed and also what contribution the state and other stakeholders in the port industry are going to make.”