Port Botany Expansion Project

Following the announcement of a shortlist for the Design and Construction contract, the two consortia Baulderstone Hornibrook-Jan de Nul and Leighton-Van Oord, have received the tender documentation from Sydney Ports. Tenders close at the end of July 2007 with a tenderer expected to be selected in November 2007. The construction contractor is scheduled to be operational on site early in 2008.

Sydney Ports will commence the tender process for the selection of a stevedore for the expanded area later this year with a decision not expected until 2008.

We note with interest that The Port of Brisbane Corporation recently appointed Hutchison Port Holding as the stevedoring operator for their expanded areas berth 11 and 12 to come online in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

In other progress on the project, environmental monitoring of waves, seagrass, saltmarsh and benthos in the construction area has commenced. This will provide baseline data for environmental protection during construction and also for enhancements proposed as a part of the project.

The Community Consultative Committee established by Sydney Ports for the project has continued to meet regularly to discuss and decide on aspects of the project which are of interest to local community and business.