tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post3280818850005008193..comments2024-02-17T19:03:04.824+11:00Comments on New England, Australia: Competition heats up for Port of NewcastleJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-91078937770910808322014-03-04T19:08:24.276+11:002014-03-04T19:08:24.276+11:00Greg, thanks for this. I have brought your comment...Greg, thanks for this. I have brought your comment up in the main post. I will also cross-post it to the New England New State Movement Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/106438812712957/ Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-61072116790455308452014-03-04T17:38:56.805+11:002014-03-04T17:38:56.805+11:00Actually Jim, there has been a fair amount of oppo...Actually Jim, there has been a fair amount of opposition in Newcastle. The port of Newcastle is substantially different to both Port Botany and Port Kembla in that the government would not be selling a business so much as a) a tax stream (ie. charges for use of the port facilities) and b) an awful lot of prime harbourside land which will severely restrict what can be done on and around the harbour for the next century. In particular, a container terminal was promised for the port a decade ago. That would have been logical to service the north of the state and help relieve congestion around Port Botany. This government has canned that and it is likely that the sale of the port will see hopes fade of a container terminal ever being built in Newcastle.<br /><br />There is also resentment that the money for infrastructure in Newcastle is tied in to the port sale, yet the dollar figure is set in stone. If the port gets sold for closer to say $1bn (highly likely), Newcastle won't see a zac more than that already promised from the sale. The state has made that absolutely clear. I don't think that there are too many people who believe that it is a good deal for Newcastle. The sale of the port will benefit Sydney more than it does Newcastle.<br /><br />GregGregnoreply@blogger.com