PBLIS Overview

In late 2008, the NSW Government responded to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) Report of March 2008 into the efficiency of the landside operations at Port Botany. The NSW Government’s response described the establishment of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) initiative to be led and coordinated by Sydney Ports. PBLIS aims to improve the competitive access and service arrangements of container movements between stevedores and transport carriers at Port Botany.

Governing the PBLIS reform is The Ports and Maritime Administration Amendment (Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy) Regulation 2010 and associated Mandatory Standards which came into effect on 26 November and 3 December 2010 respectively.

The objective of this Regulation is to provide for:

• The setting of and compliance with access and performance standards relating to access by road carriers to the Port Botany Container Terminals, the performance of road carriers at those terminals and the performance of stevedores in providing services to road carriers at those terminals; and
• The regulation by the Portfolio Minister of the charges imposed by stevedores and service providers for or in connection with the operation or provision of facilities or services of the port-related supply chain at Port Botany, including truck servicing and rail servicing charges.

The objective of the PBLIS program is to maximise the amount of trade passing through Port Botany by making the landside supply chain more efficient, transparent, consistent and transitioning to 24/7 operations. The PBLIS reform has been designed as a staged approach as follows:

Stage 1: 2011

• Regulate and implement an Operational Performance Management (OPM) framework for road only in Stage 1
• Regulate rail pricing
• Monitor activity over the initial 6 to 12 months to determine if the desired change in industry performance has been achieved

Stage 2: 2012 onwards

To be implemented if the desired performance has not been achieved. This may include Demand Management System, a review of Empty Container Parks and / or the introduction of rail regulated performance standards.

If you have any questions, would like more information or would like to comment on the strategy, please email landsideimprovement@sydneyports.com.au.