VIDEO feed - Community Forum on the Proposed Privatisation of the Port of Port Kembla

Community Forum on the Proposed Privatisation of the Port of Port Kembla, Wednesday 7 November 2012, Wollongong Town Hall

At its meeting of 27 August 2012, Council reaffirmed its opposition to the privatisation of the Port of Port Kembla. It was resolved to invite the Premier and Minister for the Illawarra to a public meeting to explain why they support the privatisation of the Port of Port Kembla, and how this can be reconciled with pre-election commitments to not pursue privatisation.

A working group consisting of Councillors and co-opted community members was established to organise the public meeting. The Minister for The Illawarra Hon. Greg Pearce accepted the invitation to attend the Community Forum and nominated Cr Michelle Blicavs to be the second speaker on the panel to explain why they support the privatisation of the Port of Port Kembla.

The community forum was held at Wollongong Town Hall on Wednesday 7 November 2012, organised by Wollongong City Council’s Port Privatisation Group. 

The Forum was facilitated by ABC Illawarra’s Nick McLaren, with speakers:

• The Hon Greg Pearce MLC, Minister for the Illawarra
• Arthur Rorris, Secretary, South Coast Labour Council
• Cr Michelle Blicavs, Ward 2 Liberal Councillor (nominated to the panel by Minister Pearce)
• Graham Larcombe, local resident, Director Strategic Economics Group and instrumental in establishing the Grain Terminal at Port Kembla.

Following the speeches, a public question and answer session was held with panel members:

• The Hon Greg Pearce MLC, Minister for the Illawarra
• Arthur Rorris, Secretary, South Coast Labour Council
• Cr Michelle Blicavs, Ward 2 Councillor (nominated by Minister Pearce)
• Graham Larcombe
• Dom Figliomeni, CEO Port Kembla Port Corporation.

A closing statement was then given by The Hon Greg Pearce MLC, Minister for the Illawarra, prior to him leaving the forum. 

Differing political perspectives on the privatisation of the Port were also presented by:

• Ron Hoenig MP, Member for Heffron, Shadow Minister for Energy, Shadow Minister for Ports
• Dr John Kaye MLC, Greens Member of the Legislative Council
• Noreen Hay MP, Member for Wollongong

Below is a full clip of all speakers who addressed our community at this meeting, and the question and answer session recorded by Wollongong City Council.

Minister for Illawarra Good To Go – Public Forum and Q&A on Future of Port Kembla This Wednesday

On Wednesday evening, 7 November from 6.30pm, Wollongong City Council is hosting a free public forum at the Town Hall on the future of Port Kembla.

The public is invited to attend and partake in a Q&A with the Hon. Greg Pearce MLC, Minister for the Illawarra and Finance and Services (pictured). Also partaking in the Q&A is economist Graham Larcombe and South Coast Labour Council Secretary Arthur Rorris, with another representative of the NSW Government to be confirmed.

Following the Q&A will be an address by Ron Hoenig, the Member for Heffron and Shadow Minister for Ports and Energy. Hoenig is also the former Mayor of Botany Bay, whose port is also facing privatisation by the NSW O’Farrell Government. 

Joining Hoenig is Hon. Paul Green MLC, Dr John Kaye and Ryan Park the Member for Keira and Shadow Minister for Roads.

Questions can be submitted for Q&A prior to entry at the information desk in the foyer of the Town Hall, as well as during the event.

Questions are to be hand written and directed to the Q&A speakers.

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery OAM is opening the night with a welcome to presenters and attendees.

MC for the event and facilitator of the Q&A is Nick McLaren from ABC Illawarra.

Council Calls on O'Farrell for Town Forum on Fate of Port Kembla

Today Wollongong City Council’s Port of Port Kembla Working Group has invited NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, NSW Treasurer Mike Baird, Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay and Minister for the Illawarra Greg Pearce to a Community Forum at Wollongong Town Hall to discuss the privatisation of Port Kembla.

The forum provides opportunity for Council and the Wollongong community to be informed and have concerns addressed and questions answered directly from the NSW State Government.

The Council Working Group – formed by Council to advance Council’s position on the possible privatisation – has provided Premier O’Farrell and respective Ministers with four possible dates to chose from being Tuesday 16 October, Tuesday 23 October, Monday 5 November or Tuesday 6 November 2012. 

The forum will be mediated by Quentin Dempster and aired on ABC 7.30 Report (Stateline).

Save Our Ports Coordinating Committee Convenor Robert Carr says: "Dempster brings an air of respectability with him as a national media commentator and will be a great mediator for the forum."

"The issue is a statewide one, its about how the NSW coastline generates income, certainty and longevity for NSW taxpayers." 

"With Dempster hosting the forum, and as it is being aired on 7.30 Report, the implications of privatising Port Kembla along with Port Botany will I think become more apparent to other communities across NSW." 

Carr says: "Many in the local community remain unclear about the details of the privatisation. We're waiting to see the new Ports legislation and how it will accommodate the community clauses under existing Ports legislation in NSW."

"The community is also waiting for the publication of scoping studies, and how the approximated 90 year shortfall in public revenue will be made up if the 99 year lease goes ahead, and the current price maintained." 

Chairperson of the Port of Port Kembla Working Group Councillor Vicki Curran said the forum will allow discussion and debate around this important issue and provide Barry O’Farrell and his Cabinet the first opportunity to put the privatisation of the Port to the people of the Illawarra and listen to our concerns.

Curran said: “The forum is a way of informing, debating and listening to the community and addressing concerns without further delay." 

"Disappointingly Council, community groups and individuals still await a response to formal letters and questions sent to the NSW Government regarding the privatisation of the port of Port Kembla. So this forum will be the perfect opportunity for the Premier of NSW and his Cabinet to address the Illawarra community, listen to our concerns, and provide answers and information,” Cr Vicki Curran said.