Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
The Ports Legislation Amendment Act 2020 and Ports Management Amendment Regulations 2020 commenced today, amending the Ports Management Act 2015 and Ports Management Regulations 2015.
The amended legislation responds to two separate reviews:
- A general review of the Ports Management Act 2015 and the Ports Management Regulations 2015 to assess operational efficiency of the legislation; and
- The 2018 Utilities Commission Ports Access and Pricing Review, to assess the effectiveness of the access and pricing regime established by Part 11 of the Ports Management Act 2015 and Part 3 of the Ports Management Regulations 2015.
The amended legislation provides expanded powers for the Darwin Port Operator and the Regional Harbourmaster to deal with vessels and wrecked vessels that provide a threat to other vessels or to the environment.
This legislation provides the regulatory framework for the control, management and operation of all designated ports in the Northern Territory. At present, the only designated port is the Port of Darwin.
NT Police will also be able to enforce port notices issued by the Port Operator to control activities on the water within a designated port.
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics General Manager of Transport and Civil Services, Ms Louise McCormick said these changes will improve safety for all users in the Darwin Port, which has an increasing level of commercial and non-commercial shipping and recreational vessels.
“The Darwin Port is a critically important enabler of the Territory’s economic growth, and an important part of the Territory’s future as a gateway to Asia,” said Ms McCormick.
“The Ports Legislation Amendment Act 2020 will improve the Port’s operational efficiency, while also providing greater power for the Port authorities to operate the Port more safely.
“Together with these changes, additional amendments have been made to the Regulations that will enhance the day-to-day operation of the access and price monitoring provisions in the Ports Management Act 2015, and Ports Management Regulations 2015, which promote the economically efficient operation of, use of, and investment in, port facilities.”
