The Hunter Business Chamber is asking for greater recognition of the Hunter's role in a statewide strategy for ports and freight.
The call was issued within the Chamber's submission to the Draft NSW Freights and Ports Plan, catalysed by a desire to enhance the Hunter region's contribution to population growth and freight.
Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes has described the draft as "high-level and far-reaching," however believes the final version should preserve and enhance transport corridors to Newcastle Airport and the Port of Newcastle; develop another major regional classification to recognise the significance of regional economic centres and provide a level playing field to facilitate the development of container trade in the Port of Newcastle.
Bob Hawes said constraints on existing rail and road networks are creating trade barriers between metro and regional NSW and its key markets, while the Hunter has the potential to alleviate congestion across the system.
"Obviously the Port of Newcastle is well-known, it's a global gateway in terms of coal trade.
"There is ambition in this region, and we want the strategy to recognise the need to diversify that trade," Mr Hawes said.
