<p>The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will start this week’s public hearings into Port Botany issues by examining the adequacy of planned rail infrastructure investment.</p> <p>The New South Wales independent regulator will hold a roundtable discussion involving all of the major industry players in Sydney on Wednesday (July 18), as part of its review of the interface between the land transport industries and the stevedores at Port Botany.</p> <p>Other questions to be asked of attendees include whether a lack of coordination between all the major parties has adversely affected the effectiveness of rail services to the port.</p> <p>The meeting will also discuss ways to make rail a more attractive choice to move empty containers.</p> <p>Road issues make up the bulk of an agenda published ahead of the meeting.</p> <p>Delegates will be asked about the continually debated issue of a possible increase in the number of vehicle booking system (VBS) slots and what would be needed for stevedores to offer more slots in peak periods.</p> <p>The IPART review will also examine whether there is truth to the claim that stevedores give preferential access to their affiliates.</p> <p>Among other key discussion points is if providing more details of the timing and frequency of road transporter access to terminals, would be considered commercially sensitive. </p> <p>The role of the Sydney Ports Corporation and the possibility of a non-profit organisation to set peak and off-peak pricing will also be discussed.</p> <p>IPART and stakeholders meet on Wednesday at the Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney, between 9.15 am and 1pm.</p> <br />
