Port of Newcastle calls on community to have a say on development of Clean Energy Precinct EIS
Momentum continues with Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct (CEP), as it starts community engagement on the development of the Precinct’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
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Momentum continues with Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct (CEP), as it starts community engagement on the development of the Precinct’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The CEP will facilitate the production of a large-scale clean energy facility that will provide a backbone for decarbonisation for the Hunter Region over the coming decades. The CEP project, led by Port of Newcastle (PON), has appointed professional services company, GHD, to support the statutory approvals for the project, and engineering studies, including the EIS.
The upcoming drop-in sessions, led by GHD’s Newcastle office, will take place across two days on 26 and 27 February in Warabrook and Fern Bay respectively, and will provide participants with the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with environmental experts, interact with project displays and visual materials, and provide direct feedback on the EIS.
CEO, Craig Carmody, said the community’s voice is an important part of the project.
“Port of Newcastle is the most advanced port in Australia toward clean energy production, with Front End Engineering Design [FEED] and EIS studies well underway.
“We are committed to genuine consultation with the local community and other stakeholders about this project, and we’ve already undertaken significant engagement with local community groups, including Traditional Owners, port users, and residents.
“Continuing the conversation with our community is an important part of this stage of the Precinct’s development. I encourage everyone to be part of this project that’s creating once-in-a-generation change for our city and the greater Hunter Region,” Mr Carmody said.
GHD Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dean McIntyre said:
“Port of Newcastle has a pivotal role to play in the broader energy future of not only the Hunter region but also for the state of New South Wales and Australia as a whole.
“GHD is proud to be partnering with Port of Newcastle to bring our local knowledge and technical authority to this signature project for the Hunter.
“Working closely with the Port of Newcastle team, we’re looking forward to engaging with the community at these upcoming sessions and over the coming months,” Mr McIntyre said.
Port of Newcastle’s CEP is the only Australian port currently at FEED and EIS studies stage, which is being undertaken by Lumea (electrical), CoNEXA (water) and GHD (general infrastructure).
The studies cover electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure, and pipelines to berth.
Current CEP studies are funded by a $100 million grant for hydrogen readiness from the Commonwealth Government and administered by the NSW Government.
The dedicated 220-hectare Clean Energy Precinct will facilitate clean energy production, storage, distribution and export and once fully developed, will make a significant contribution to the economy and generate new jobs in the Hunter Region by 2040.
Drop-in session details:
Wednesday 26 February 2025 between 6pm and 8.30pm
Warabrook Community Centre | 6 Angophora Drive, Warabrook
Thursday 27 February 2025 between 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Fern Bay Community Hall | 8 Vardon Road, Fern Bay
For more information, visit portofnewcastle.com.au/landside/major-projects/clean-energy-precinct.