GrainCorp on Friday confirmed it would spend about $20 million on the development of the Port Kembla facilities, which includes permission to build a total of 16 storage tanks, each measuring 1250 cubic metres.

The development application for the bulk liquid storage facility was submitted to Wollongong City Council on December 19 last year and approved without fanfare a month ago.

GrainCorp spokesman Angus Trigg said the first phase involved building 10 tanks, with local steel to be used.

"We're investing almost $20 million into the Port Kembla site, which is right next to our existing bulk grain export terminal," he said.

"The DA is for 16 tanks, but the first phase is 10 tanks of around 1250 cubic metres each.

"We are very pleased to be using local Australian steel [from BlueScope] for this work."

Mr Trigg said the construction phase would create 20 to 30 jobs and the facility would be used for storing different kinds of liquids, including fuel.

"The tanks will store a range of bulk liquids, primarily chemicals, including industrial lubricants, liquid crop fertiliser [urea ammonium nitrate] and petroleum fuel.

"Of course, also edible oils [canola oil, vegetable oil, tallow etc]. Work started very recently [and] involves pile driving, levelling the land, sealing, installing tanks, pipeline to wharf, [and] bunds.

"We intend to staff the facility from our existing team, but expect 20 to 30 jobs during the construction phase, plus ongoing economic generation in the local area, post-completion."

The Port Kembla office of NSW Ports yesterday said the development would be completed by the end of this year, and would result in one more vessel service every six weeks.