Ports
Following the Queensland Government review of the Queensland ports management structure, a revised five port structure was implemented from 1 July 2009. The new structure is as follows:
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Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited is responsible for the ports of Cairns, Burketown, Cape Flattery, Cooktown, Karumba, Mourilyan, Port Kennedy (Thursday Island), Quintell Beach, and Skardon River.
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Port of Townsville Limited is responsible for the ports of Townsville and Lucinda.
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited is responsible for the ports of Abbot Point, Hay Point, Weipa, Mackay and Maryborough.
Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited is responsible for the ports of Gladstone and Rockhampton.
Port of Brisbane Corporation is responsible for the ports of Brisbane and Bundaberg.
Each port authority has a board of directors and operates as a commercial entity. This has helped to enhance their customer focus and operational and financial performance.
The Queensland Competition Authority determines the fair and reasonable terms and conditions of access to terminals which have been 'declared' for third party access under the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997.
The Authority's responsibilities in relation to Ports are to:
- assess and approve access undertakings for ports declared for Third Party Access;
- arbitrate access disputes;
- enforce breaches of access obligations;
- investigate and monitor prices for ports declared for monopoly prices oversight; and
- assess competitive neutrality.
Regulatory Framework
The main sources of regulation, as relevant to the Authority’s role in the port sector, are:
The Transport Infrastructure Act regulates, amongst other things:
- functions and powers of port authorities; and
- land management.
The Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act regulates, amongst other things:
- safety, including ship safety;
- navigation;
- portage; and
- the role of harbour masters.
Issues
The Authority's responsibilities encompass the following ports issue:
