AGY-4863 | Port Equipment and Development Committee

Full description

The Port Equipment and Operations Committee was formed under the National Security (Port Equipment and Operations Committee ) Regulations established in January 1943 to advise the Commonwealth Director of Shipping on all proposed work on ports. The Committee consisted of six members, five of whom were members or nominees of Port Authorities and an Executive Member who was selected because of his knowledge of port operations. The members were appointed by the Director who also prescribed the terms and conditions of their appointment. The headquarters of the Committee was in Sydney in the premises of the Maritime Services Board. The role of the Committee was
to report to the Director on matters he referred to it relating to the operation and equipment of ports and the provision of port facilities;
to investigate and report to the Director on other matters relating to port operations and equipment;
to exercise any other functions referred to it by the Director. The Committee comprised representatives from most Australian states. The Vice President and President of the Maritime Services Board were Chairman and Deputy Chairman, respectively, of the Committee. The majority of conferences which were scheduled over several days were held in Sydney. The first conference was held in Sydney from 20 - 28 January 1943. The role of the conferences was
to ensure that any port equipment or development that was proposed was fully investigated and that a 'thoroughly vetted recommendation' was made to the Director of Shipping. This was to ensure that no 'unnecessary or extravagant' proposal was implemented;
to enable the Director of Shipping to make a sound recommendations for port development to the Minister or Cabinet;
to ensure smooth and harmonious functioning between port and other authorities under the control of the Director of shipping. The Committee continued to function until at least 1945. Reference
CGS9848 [7/7277] Letter from the director of Shipping 19 January 1943 annexures "F" and "G"