City and State in Stand-Off Over Stockton Beach Dredge

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Newcastle Council and the state government say, they're each on waiting on one another, to get started on a new nourishment program for Stockton Beach.

The federal government announced the project in October, funding most of the $6.2 million, alongside a council contribution. 

But there's now a stand-off as to whether the City or New South Wales is responsible for managing the works and getting the wheels in motion.

The Port of Newcastle has also raised concern, revealing it doesn't have a permit to dredge the harbour for sand nourishment works.

The Port's Chief Commercial Officer Simon Byrnes, told Newcastle Herald, they do not have "necessary provision to provide sand nourishment or perform dredging operations that are not required for maintenance purposes."

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, said the project is proving to be frustrating for both residents and council. 

"This is ridiculous. This grant application was completed by the state government, naming one of their own agencies as playing a part, who are now trying to back-track," Mr Crakanthorp said.   

"The money is there. It should not be this difficult to get this project moving, and I have attempted to discuss this with the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) on a number of occasions." 

HCCDC was identified as the operation's project manager on the original application. 

Mr Crakanthorp said the delays need to stop, and sand needs to be put back on the beach. 

"This project needs to be project-managed from start to finish, and HCCDC are the allocated government agency to do so. They need to start that process immediately." 

Varroa Mite Unlikely to Have Originated at the Port of Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

It's now believed the varroa mite could have been present in the Hunter for years, following an enquiry into the parasite's origin in the region. 

Surveillance conducted after the mite's discovery at the Port of Newcastle, indicates there were high numbers of mites in hives up to 10 kilometres away from the detection point. 

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHIC) CEO Daniel La Feuvre appeared before a senate inquiry into the adequacy of Australia's biosecurity measures last week, and said the parasite "probably originated away from the port". 

Mr La Feuvre said the AHIC is still unsure where the mite came from, but noted a number of high-risk local pathways, including the airport, RAAF base, and industrial area. 

Port of Newcastle dropped-off Plant Health Australia's (PHA) most recent list of high-risks ports, because it is a bulk handling port, not a container port.  

However, in response to the outbreak, the AHIC made a number of recommendations on improving port biosecurity measures across the board. 

New data indicates it's unlikely the varroa mite entered the Hunter through the Port of Newcastle.

Labor Promises Judicial Probe into Port Deal

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

As the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission prepares to launch legal action against NSW Ports for a so-called 'anti-competitive' deal surrounding the Port of Newcastle, State Labor is looking to probe the matter further.

Opposition leader Michael Daley is committing to a full judicial inquiry into the Baird era deal, which essentially stops a container terminal being built in Newcastle for the next 50 years to the detriment of Ports Kembla and Botany.

The inquiry will examine the Liberal-National Government's role in the privatisation agreement, amid claims the container terminal ban is stifling the Hunter of jobs and investment.

The opposition has already announced a judicial inquiry into Sydney's delayed light rail project and the WestConnex motorway scheme.

In a statement issued on Monday, ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said while the NSW Government is not currently party to the Federal Court suit, he's long voiced concerns about the short-term thinking of state governments privatising assets.

The ACCC will try to prove the Ports' 2013 and 2014 deeds privatising Kembla, Botany and Newcastle contravene the Competition and Consumer Act.

Michael Daley said he's calling on the State Government to own up to their part.

"The ACCC doesn't have the power to institute proceedings against the Crown, but that doesn't mean the Government can't be a party to the proceedings if it chooses to be. If it's good enough for the Premier to send the Treasurer out to defend the deal, the Premier should send the Solicitor General down to the Federal Court and seek to be joined to these proceedings," Mr Daley said. 

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government's position has not changed since 2013, saying no competition issues have arisen as a result of the "arrangement which provided certainty to all parties involved." 

Mr Perrottet said the Government is fully cooperating with the ACCC on the ongoing matter. 

Image: Hunter Business Review. 

Competition Watchdog To Probe Newcastle Port Privatisation

BY IAN CROUCH

Labor leader, Luke Foley is welcoming a decision by the competition Watchdog to examine the privatisation of the Port of Newcastle.

The state government leased the Port in 2013 for 98 years in return for $1.75billion, keeping the details under wraps until after the deal was done, saying it was commercial in confidence.

The state opposition claims a secret deal was done at the time which prevents the Port of Newcastle developing a container terminal and imposes a penalty should this occur.

It's claimed the deal was done to boost the sale price of Port Botany by selling its container business as a NSW monopoly

A whistle-blower has leaked details of the arrangement, prompting the A-triple-C probe.

Luke Foley claims the deal  has hobbled the Hunter's economy.

"It is astonishing that any government would enter into a secret deal so deliberately designed to hut Newcastle's economic development," he said.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley