“We congratulate the State G-her develop Port Kembla with the announcement of a $600 million dollar expansion of the Outer Harbour,” Mr Hyde said.

“Development of such large projects will underpin the future economic growth of not only Port Kembla, but also the Wingecarribee Shire.”

Mr Hyde said the port expansion was great news for the Southern Highlands and vindicated the vision of the council and the Port Kembla Port Corporation when they signed a memorandum of understanding in 2006 for strategic co-operation to develop the Moss Vale facility in support of the port’s growth.

“We are in a unique position to be able to provide immediate industrial and logistical support to the port with the concurrent development of the Moss Vale Enterprise Zone - a 630 hectare industrial estate that has been designated as regionally significant employment lands by the NSW government,” he said.

“All major infrastructure is already in place, including an under-utilised dedicated heavy freight rail line that bisects the industrial area and goes direct to the port.”

Mr Hyde said that the industrial area was adjacent to the Hume Highway and also bisected by the Sydney to Melbourne rail line.

The existence of this major infrastructure assists the State and Federal Governments in the short term by being able to develop the port without the immediate need for huge investment in rail and road infrastructure, he said.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, July 28