The strategic role of Australian regional ports in regional development: an exploration of port stakeholders' perceptions

The role of ports has changed considerably over time from being a place of refuge for ships, to a centre of transport activities, to becoming a crucial node in the supply chain that serves as a logistic hub where hinterland development, innovation, community involvement, and environmental and socio-economic factors are essential strategic issues for port management. An extension of this is that a port and its region in which it is embedded have developed a symbiotic relationship where their growth is conditional upon one another. Given this necessary symbiotic relationship, the interaction and involvement of ports and their stakeholders may be pivotal to the development of the port and the region. Thus, this paper explores the perceptions of Australian regional port stakeholders regarding a port’s role in regional development, sustainability and future development. Of interest is that research in this area is limited and has been somewhat complicated due to differing views on what constitutes a regional port and thus its region. This study reports on the findings of 38 telephone interviews with senior port officials and other key port stakeholders, including port users, business organisations and government officials. A conceptual model is also presented for further investigation of the contribution of ports in regional development.