"The Port of Newcastle has not previously attempted to buy the site," Mr Roberts told the Newcastle Herald yesterday afternoon, with his department indicating the port had previously inquired about a long-term lease that did not meet the relevant "unsolicited proposal" criteria.

As a result, under Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) guidelines, direct negotiations between the port and the government were not legally possible.

The registration of interest process announced on Monday through real estate agent Colliers was open to any party, including the port.

"This registration of interest process allows the Port of Newcastle the opportunity to register their interest for the site," Mr Roberts said.

"The successful proposal must demonstrate how it would best contribute to our long-term strategic objectives for the region.

"The NSW Government remains committed to delivering job creation and keeping the economy moving in the Newcastle and Hunter region."

LABOR MPs Tim Crakanthorp and Sharon Claydon have attacked the NSW government's planned sale of the Intertrade site at Mayfield, with Ms Claydon calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to intervene.

In a speech to NSW parliament on Tuesday night, the Newcastle state MP said the NSW government was "the only thing standing in the way" of a Newcastle container terminal.

"It sure does say a lot about this Government's attitude towards Newcastle and the Hunter that they would prioritise a $20-odd million land sale over $2 billion in private investment and 19,000 jobs," Mr Crakanthorp told the Legislative Assembly.

IN THE NEWS:

"But hey, if there's two things that this Government loves it's helping their mates and selling off everything they can.

"The Intertrade site is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that could go down the drain.

The EOI (expression of interest) is a malicious campaign from a government that wants to protect their own interests."

Mr Crakanthorp questioned the timing of the announcement, given that a crucial Federal Court appeal brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over the NSW government's port privatisations kicks off tomorrow, Thursday.

NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts stunned supporters of a Newcastle container terminal on Monday when he announced that expressions of interest were being called to develop the 52-hectare site for such suggested uses as "advanced manufacturing, cleantech and green energy, or defence".

The Herald's opinion: State government knocks back port bid for key steelworks site

The Newcastle Herald reported that the government had previously rejected an offer from the privatised Port of Newcastle, which considered the land crucial to its plans for a container terminal, which have been steadfastly opposed by the NSW government.

Promising a more detailed response later today, a spokesperson for Mr Roberts said Port of Newcastle was free to submit an expression of interest in the site.

Ms Claydon, the federal member for Newcastle, called on Mr Morrison "to stand up to the NSW government".

"Today I call on the Prime Minister to intervene, to call out the despicable actions of his NSW Liberal counterparts and insist on a level playing field amongst NSW ports and access to container trade," Ms Claydon said.

"Only then can the Port of Newcastle and our region realise its full potential."

Online information provided by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment says expressions of interest can be lodged between Monday, February 28 and 3pm on Friday, March 18.

"Short-listed respondents may be invited to respond to an Expression of Interest (EOI) and/or Request for Tender (RFT) in future stages," the department says.

Interested parties are to contact the real estate agency Colliers for further details.

Mr Crakanthorp, whose parliamentary work in support of a Newcastle container terminal has included hundreds of questions on notice that have revealed important details of the government's port privatisations, said the Coalition was "relentless" in its determination to stop the port diversifying its trade.

"Normally, this kind of process wouldn't raise eyebrows," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"I'm sure there are a few companies out there who'd be very interested in the site. You know who else is interested? The Port of Newcastle. You know who has already tried to purchase that site? The Port of Newcastle.

"Here's a few characteristics of this site. It has great road access. It abuts a rail line.

"It's part of the last 100 contiguous hectares of land in a port on the east coast of this country.

"It also happens to be right next to where the Port of Newcastle will develop their multipurpose deepwater terminal - we all know the terminal I'm talking about; it's the container terminal this Government doesn't want Newcastle to have because they don't want it competing with Port Kembla or Port Botany.

"It's the terminal that would be subject to that anti-competitive clause this Government wrote into the contract when they flogged off our port that punishes it for moving too many containers through the terminal, to the tune of around $1 million per ship."

Ms Claydon said the sale was "a deliberate attempt by the NSW Liberals to ensure that the development of a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle remains economically unviable".

"This is a concerted effort to block investment, entrench private monopolies and put a massive brake on regional development and employment in Newcastle," Ms Claydon said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: