Mayfield Concept Plan

The Mayfield development site is a 90-hectare parcel of port-side land. The site was once part of the former BHP Steelworks and has since been extensively remediated. It represents the largest vacant port land on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

About the Site

The site provides an important opportunity for Port of Newcastle to diversify the Hunter and NSW economies, and improve the efficiency of existing supply chains.

Port of Newcastle is seeking to develop the Mayfield site for port related activities in order to accommodate a diverse range of cargo handling infrastructure and grow new and existing trades. The site will, initially, be developed for bulk liquids. A multi-purpose cargo facility focused around bulk materials and general cargo has been identified as a future opportunity.

The Mayfield Site Port Related Activities Concept Plan (Mayfield Concept Plan) was approved by the NSW Department for Planning, Industry and Environment as a Concept Approval under section 75O of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Mayfield Precinct Multi-Purpose Cargo Handling Facility

Port of Newcastle’s diversification strategy marked further critical milestones in November 2021.

Following a Federal funding announcement supporting the commencement of a feasibility study into the Port of Newcastle Green Hydrogen Hub, the Port prepared to release two tenders to advance its Mayfield Precinct Multi-Purpose Cargo Handling Facility, an interim body of work to diversify the Port in preparation for the future Multi-Purpose Deepwater Container Terminal.“The release of these tenders for land and water side construction works again reinforces the Port’s commitment to future adaption and another milestone that will go down in the Port’s history books as a key step-change in our diversification journey,” said Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody.

“The Port’s Mayfield Precinct is a 90-hectare parcel of extensively remediated port-side land and these tenders will give new life and purpose to the former BHP Steelworks site, supporting the creation of the Mayfield Precinct Multi-Purpose Cargo Handling Facility, and enabling the Port to diversify its trade and support the Hunter and NSW economy through improving existing supply chain efficiency.”

The tender works will support the Ports $28.4 million investment in two Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes which are currently being constructed in Germany and are due for arrival at Port of Newcastle in July 2022. The tender release also follows the closure of the Ports Expressions of Interest process to operate a future Empty Container Park at the Mayfield 4 (M4) site which has attracted significant Australian and international interest.

Click here for further details information on the tenders and the plans for the Mayfield Precinct Multi-Purpose Cargo Handling Facility.

About the Mayfield Concept Plan

The Concept Plan establishes the broad parameters and environmental performance criteria to assess and develop future projects. It also provides a level of certainty for regulators and the local community that the site will be developed in a consistent and environmentally responsible manner.

The Concept Plan approval does not permit the construction or operation of any project. Future projects within the Concept Plan area are subject to separate approval(s) under the Act.

The proponent for the Mayfield Concept Plan was Newcastle Port Corporation until the commencement of the long-term lease of the Port of Newcastle. From 31 May 2014, Port of Newcastle is the proponent.

What is planned for the Mayfield site?

Port of Newcastle is seeking to develop the site for port-related activities to accommodate a diverse range of cargo handling infrastructure and the promotion of trade, in accordance with the objectives of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Three Ports) 2013.

The western portion of the site will initially be developed for bulk liquids. The timing of further development will depend on the commercial needs of port users.

Development Update

Stolthaven Mayfield Terminal
Stolthaven continues to meet its environmental reporting requirements as part of the Conditions of Approval issued in 2016 for the bulk fuel storage and distribution terminal. This terminal comprises seven diesel storage tanks and two biodiesel storage tanks, with approval to handle up to 3,500 million litres of fuel annually.

Please refer to the latest Stolthaven reports under the SSD 7065 Reports section below.

Koppers Pipeline
Koppers Carbon Materials and Chemicals Pty Ltd (Koppers) has decommissioned and removed the gantry and pipe infrastructure that previously connected its Mayfield facility to the BHP 6 Berth.

Koppers pipeline now connects to Mayfield 7 Berth, which is a dedicated bulk liquids berth.

Mayfield Cargo Storage Facility
The Mayfield Cargo Storage Facility will open its doors to diverse trades, including more wind turbine imports and roll-on roll-off vessels in the future, under the approved expanded site’footprint.

Development Approval No. 8137 facilitates a Mayfield Cargo Storage Facility up to 18.6ha in size.

Port of Newcastle has been operating the Mayfield Cargo Storage Facility since July 2017. It comprises open-air storage for a range of cargo, including breakbulk, project, general and containerised cargoes.

Port of Newcastle Mayfield Services Project
Port of Newcastle continues to progress the Mayfield Services Project in preparation for the increased capacity needs of a potential new container terminal at Mayfield.

Commissioning of a new electricial switching substation will be finalised in 2021 and is part of a $10 million investment to future-proof the capacity of the Mayfield site. Once commissioned, it will add 11.75 Mega Volt Amps (MVA) to the Port’s private electrical network. This project is being delivered in partnership with AvidPM, Downer EDI Engineering and GHD.Beyond the Mayfield Services Project

Port of Newcastle is currently progressing with a proposal to develop a Multi-purpose Deepwater Terminal at Mayfield.

Subject to the removal of the targeted tax on containers through Newcastle, Port of Newcastle is ready to invest $1.8 billion in the infrastructure needed to ensure Australia can accommodate the global shift towards the use of ultra large container vessels. With a groundswell of industry and political support for the project, the port will soon be in a position to provide a superior option for customers.

The Mutli-purpose Deepwater Terminal will help the Hunter’s economy to transition to a more diversified baseline and add further economic, social and environmental value.

Read more about the project.

Relevant Planning and Environmental Approvals, Licenses and Permits

Communication

You can keep up-to-date about this site and the development approval by:

viewing the environmental monitoring information published on this web page
reading minutes from the Port of Newcastle Community Liaison

Compliance Overview

There are currently two facilities operating under the Mayfield Concept Approval:

SSD_7065 Stolthaven Bulk Fuel Terminal; and
DA 8137 Mayfield Cargo Storage Facility

As the proponent of the Mayfield Concept Plan Approval, Port of Newcastle publishes monitoring data on environmental performance.

Air Quality Monitoring and Management

Ambient air quality and wind data is currently monitored via the NSW EPA Lower Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network.

The parameters monitored within the network are a basic set of fine particulates, combustion gases and wind speed and direction.

This set of parameters is able to provide a qualitative assessment of the impact on local air quality from the current activities within the Mayfield Concept Plan area until such time that future operations in the Mayfield Concept Plan area trigger the need for a higher level of monitoring.

Stormwater Quality Reporting

Noise and Vibration Monitoring and Management

Operators are required to complete all statutory reporting requirements applicable to their operations within the time periods as specified within their consent and/or license conditions.

Port of Newcastle publishes an annual site-wide noise verification report.

SSD 7065 Monitoring Reports

Cumulative Impact Monitoring

Cumulative impacts of facilities operating under the Mayfield Concept Approval are assessed against total site criteria. Links to the cumulative assessment outcomes are provided above. Please refer to:

Noise and Vibration Monitoring and Management (above)
Traffic Monitoring and Review (above)
Newcastle Air Quality Monitoring Network

TRAFFIC MONITORING

Traffic Monitoring data is provided by individual tenants operating under the Concept Plan Approval to Port of Newcastle on a bi-monthly basis.

Port of Newcastle will regularly review Traffic Monitoring data. Port of Newcastle will prepare a Transport Infrastructure Strategy in consultation with agencies to help inform their planning of road and rail service provision and infrastructure upgrades.

2017

2017-10 Traffic-Management Report

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Make an enquiry

Please use the form below to make an enquiry

Mayfield Concept Plan

Menu