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G+T steels itself for redevelopment
Gilbert + Tobin is currently working on two major port developments — the $120 million redevelopment of Port Kembla and the development of a new coal loader at the Port of Newcastle.The…
Lawyers Weekly
Gilbert + Tobin is currently working on two major port developments — the $120 million redevelopment of Port Kembla and the development of a new coal loader at the Port of Newcastle.
The firm is advising the Port Kembla Port Corporation on the redevelopment of Port Kembla and the relocation to Port Kembla of all roll-on/roll-off stock and cargo port facilities in Sydney Harbour. The advice includes the legal aspects of regulatory control in future port operations and the associated upgrading of infrastructure to accommodate additional traffic, including roads and rail transport.
Australian Amalgamated Terminals, a joint venture company between Patrick Corporation and P&O Ports, will operate the facility, which will be managed and monitored by Port Kembla Port Corporation, a Statutory Corporation of the NSW Government. Partner David Wilkie said the development represented a “significant commitment” to the port from both the NSW Government and the private sector.
“Both Port Kembla Port Corporation and Australian Amalgamated Terminals have agreed to the carrying out of significant port upgrades to facilitate the implementation of core government policy, the development of Australian Amalgamated Terminals’ business and the development of the Port Kembla region,” he said.
The firm is also advising a consortium of Hunter Valley coal producers, the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Limited (NCIG), on the development, construction, operation and maintenance of a new coal loader at the Port of Newcastle. The loader is to be built on Kooragang Island and will increase annual export capacity by at least 30 million tonnes — with a value of $2 billion at today’s prices.
Members of NCIG include BHP Billiton (through Hunter Valley Energy Coal), Centennial Coal, Donaldson Coal, Excel Coal, Felix Resources and Whitehaven Coal. Partners Amanda Hempel and David Brewster are advising NCIG on the transaction with senior lawyer Kevin Evans and Special Counsel Noni Shannon.
Clayton Utz advised the NSW Government on the tender process that led to the appointment of the NCIG and will continue to advise the Government on the project.
