Tripodi blames coal industry for Hunter delay

<p>New South Wales ports and infrastructure minister Joe Tripodi defended the State Government’s stance on the port of Newcastle’s coal loading terminal woes yesterday during a budget estimates hearing, maintaining his argument that the coal industry’s proposal would lock out new entrants for at least a decade.</p> <p>Mr Tripodi told the hearing that the Government was waiting for the coal industry to return with a revised plan ahead of the December 31 expiration of the existing capacity system.</p> <p>The new framework was meant to address concerns the Government held over fair access to the port’s infrastructure for new entrants.</p> <p>He pointed to potential investment by China’s Shenhua towards new exploration in the Gunnedah region, about 500 km northwest of the port.</p> <p>The coal industry’s proposal would prevent new entrants such as Shenhua from exporting through Newcastle, Mr Tripodi said.</p> <p>Last week, Hunter coal miners met to discuss Newcastle’s coal capacity constraints. </p> <p>These talks follow months of discussions, mediated by former state premier Nick Greiner, which had succeeded in identifying a plan for infrastructure investment.</p> <p>To the consternation of mining companies, Mr Tripodi rejected the plan insisting they come together to formulate a fairer plan that would allow greater access for new miners.</p> <p>Yesterday, Mr Tripodi told the hearing that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was unlikely to support the proposal sent by Mr Greiner.</p> <p>Shadow ports minister Duncan Gay said Mr Tripodi had been sitting on his hands.</p> <p>But Mr Tripodi, citing the Shenhua case, said the Government’s inaction was not a matter of procrastination, but was &#8220actually a reality&#8221.</p> <br />