Infrastructure Australia today announced a priority project list which included initiatives such as the M1 Expansion, a $1.6 million John Hunter Hospital upgrade and a new deep water container port on the East Coast, possibly located the Port of Newcastle.
Port of Newcastle hopes to begin construction on a deep water port to boost exports and diversify imports beyond coal.
Spokesperson from the Port of Newcastle, Sam Collyer says, "a multipurpose deep water channel in Newcastle would align with national objectives."
Currently, no port along the East Coast can support the largest ships which are used to transport goods.
The Port of Newcastle said the project would be part of a long term objective spanning more that ten years which would allow it to become more than just a coal port.
"Our ports in Australia are simply not capable of accommodating the ships which are being built around the world now," Mr Collyer said.
"So that's a problem for our economy, that's a problem for our international trading businesses and it's a problem for productivity across the nation."
Current State Government restrictions on the port mean it cannot expand, with the Port of Newcastle hoping the release of the priority list will prompt the Government to lift these restrictions.
"There is a need for ports that are capable of handling these ships. Already the Port of Newcastle is ready to build a 2 million TEU container terminal right now provided that penalty on Newcastle containers is removed," Mr Collyer said.
"We're pursuing productive discussions with all levels of government to ensure we can achieve an outcome which unlocks this private investment in NSW and ensures we can capture some of those economic benefits across the state."
