Until the brash young entrepreneur arrived on the scene, the future of coal-loading in the Port of Newcastle was mapped out as an orderly continuation of the familiar pattern of recent years.

Between them, two consortiums of big players – Port Waratah Coal Services and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group – have their plans on the drawing board and hold the whip hand over precious access for mine owners to coal-loading capacity.

Apparently impatient at the rationing system for loader capacity that forces new industry entrants to wait their turn, Tinkler threw a spanner in the works with his audacious plan for a smaller, cheaper loader that could have been up and running in a relatively short time.

Observers suggested that, if Tinkler won approval, he and his business allies with their mining interests might have been able to assemble an exceptionally valuable mine and loader package for possible sale to foreign investors.

That’s all academic now, with Premier Barry O’Farrell announcing that the Mayfield plan won’t proceed.

Instead, the BHP site will remain theoretically reserved for future development as a terminal for containers and other non-coal cargo. Those who were worried about the wisdom of putting too many of Newcastle’s eggs into the coal basket will be relieved at the decision, as will some Mayfield residents who feared the potential impact of coal dust on their suburb.

Even more relieved will be the existing loader operators, whose orderly investment and capacity allocation plans can now proceed without the fear of having their viability compromised by an interloper. As these operators pointed out, the BHP site had long been declared off-limits for coal-loading and, had they known it might be available they’d have liked a chance to secure it themselves.

Still, the episode has been enlightening, with Mr Tinkler offering extensive investment in portside road and rail improvements and a per-tonne loading levy for community development as sweeteners.