Ports Australia backs NSW planning initiative

Ports Australia chief executive David Anderson applauded New South Wales Government moves yesterday to declare the state's three major ports "significant sites" in an effort to smooth planning and control of the land.

Port Botany, Port Kembla and the port of Newcastle have been identified as part of an amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) 2005.

NSW ports minister Joe Tripodi said the amendment would provide consistent planning, better zoning of port land and would also protect the ports from having operations and future expansion limited by incompatible use of neighbouring land.

Mr Anderson said the move was a "very substantial and positive step" which would give the ports greater certainty in planning.

"Significant long-term growth is predicted in both our resources and container trades and it is imperative that ports are well positioned to plan effectively and with adequate land to support future growth," Mr Anderson said.

The move was also about urban amenity and maintaining a close and harmonious relationship between ports and the surrounding community, he said.