Terminal operator Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group was the last to sign onto the agreement.

“Work can now begin on developing the details of lease amendments and long-term contracts for the framework to become permanent and legally binding,” New South Wales Ports Minister Joe Tripodi said of the agreement, designed to mitigate long-standing issues on the port’s access arrangements.

Tripodi said the long-term plan contained measures missing from the terminal access framework agreement delivered by former NSW premier Nick Greiner last year.

He said the new measures included triggers requiring terminals to build new capacity on demand and an industry levy to help fund new terminal infrastructure where required.

Tripodi said the new deal would also provide guaranteed access for new entrants and expanding producers, protection for small producers and a proposal for a fourth coal loading terminal.

“This breakthrough agreement includes measures which benefit new entrants and existing producers.”

Tripodi’s department noted Chinese coal producer Shenhua Watermark Coal was supportive of the new access arrangements of the plan.

“At a recent ACCC consultation session, Shenhua stated its desire for a long-term solution to issues regarding efficient and non-discriminatory access for new entrants,” the Department for Ports and Waterways said.

Last year, parent company China Shenhua Energy forked out $A299.9 million to the NSW state government for the 190-square-kilometre Watermark area exploration licence near Gunnedah.

The agreement for the new plan was signed on behalf of all the Hunter Valley producers by NCIG and Port Waratah Coal Services.

The producers that are part of the new plan include BHP Billiton’s Hunter Valley Energy Coal, Coal & Allied, Xstrata Coal, Anglo Coal Australia, Integra Coal (Vale Australia), Peabody Pacific, Centennial Coal, Austar (Yancoal Australia), Felix Resources, Gloucester Coal, Whitehaven Coal, Donaldson Coal, Bloomfield and Idemitsu.