Hunter Ports is a privately owned entity in the Tinker Group and whose first project is the proposed development of a new state-of-the-art coal terminal on the former BHP Steel site on the Hunter River in Newcastle.
The proposed state-of-the-art terminal will set a new benchmark in environmental and operational standards, achieving improved air quality, reduced noise and a better living environment for residents.
It will also deliver significant community benefits, create thousands of jobs and bolster the local economy.
Hunter Ports’ proposal includes the plan to create a new rail corridor through the industrial land adjacent to the Hunter River, removing an estimated 90 per cent of coal trains from residential areas and permitting the closure of the Mayfield rail corridor.
The new rail link will also incorporate a marshalling area in the Steel River industrial zone, which will see the end of trains parking and idling in residential areas. This will transform the precinct by significantly reducing dust and noise, as well as improving air quality and local surroundings.
Good design will ensure that dust, noise and visual amenity impacts from the coal loader are also minimised.
Hunter Ports is also committed to improving associated local infrastructure in and around Newcastle for the benefit of the community.
The proposal, which is in the early planning stages, was submitted to the NSW Government in late 2011 for assessment. If supported by the government, the proposal will be further developed following community, government and industry engagement.
Hunter Ports’ compelling concept will deliver a significant number of benefits
including:
Local community benefits
- An estimated 90% of coal trains removed from residential areas
- Potential to permit the closure of the Mayfield rail corridor, transforming the surrounding communities
- Possible creation of a new “green belt” along the Mayfield rail corridor
- No more trains parked or idling in residential areas, with a marshalling area proposed within the Steel River industrial zone
- Improved air quality and reduced noise, providing a better living environment for residents
- A package of local infrastructure improvement projects for Newcastle.
Environmental Benefits
- State-of-the-art terminal that will set new benchmarks in environmental and operational standards in the way export coal is handled in Australia
- Innovative features that will be used for the first time in Newcastle to minimise dust, noise and visual impacts
- Noise barriers with extensive native plantings between the terminal and the residential areas so most residents won’t see the terminal and noise will be minimised
- Barriers to shield the stockpile area from prevailing winds to significantly reduce dust
- High density coal storage with lower exposed surface area to further minimise dust
- No major dredging, carve-outs of the river banks and land reclamation required on proposed site.
Industry benefits
- Up to 100mtpa of additional export capacity for Newcastle Port
- Innovative measures in terminal design and operation, including first time use of wind barriers and noise barriers
- Approximately $12 billion in coal export and related revenues
- Up to $1 billion in royalties for NSW Government per year, at full capacity
- Generate gross regional product for Newcastle of up to $140 million a year, once the terminal is fully operational
Employment Benefits
- Up to 800 jobs during construction
- Up to 1,600 jobs on and off site once fully operational
- Thousands of other jobs in the wider Hunter region
To find out more information: www.hunterports.com
