Port expansion

Port Kembla is set to become Australias leading car import centre after planning minister Frank Sartor gave development consent to the plans.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma made the announcement during hiis visit to Port Kembla last week

The Final stage of the $140 million expansion of Port Kembla now has a green light to proceed, said Mr Iemma.

The Port Kembla Port Corporation has awarded the contract for construction of the number 3 berth to national construction company the Georgiou Group.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May of the 290 metre berth which will be a key element for the harbours transformation into the vehicle operating hub for NSW.

The new berth is an innovative bulkhead design, which offers flexibility for berthing options for the various kinds of vessels used in the vehicle transporting trade. It will also be able to handle other cargo operations, with the strength to handle extremely heavy loads, said Mr Iemma,

Mr Iemma said this is the latest step in a process which began three years ago and which will eventually secure 1000 direct and indirect jobs for the Illawarra economy.

The approval includes the cargo storage and motor vehicle processing and storage facilities, construction of the multi purpose berth number 3 and associated dredging, development of eastern basin berth number 4 and associated dredging and the easterly extension of the existing multi purpose berth by 80 metres.

This work will allow Port Kembla to handle more than 240 000 motor vehicles per year as well as increased container handling and general cargo. The plan is for car imports to be relocated to Port Kembla from Sydneys Glebe Island from late 2008, said Mr Iemma. CHECK

Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said he was delighted by the formal approval of the work.

This latest formal consent for the remaining works will enable Port Kembla to handle 55 000 tonne, 12 storey vessels, which are some of the worlds biggest car carrying ships, said Mr Campbell.

Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay said Port Kembla had the land and infrastructure for the development and welcomed formal approval for the expansion.

She said under state governments new major projects planning laws the expanded upgrade was approved efficiently.

Now this important development can proceed with minimal delay, she said.