The Port of Newcastle is now inviting Newcastle and Hunter residents to have their say on the proposed Clean Energy Precinct as well as its future clean energy diversification plans.
Three drop-in sessions are going to be held from 28 August 2023. An online survey is also available until 20 September for residents who are not able to attend a drop-in session.
“We are at the forefront of shaping a new economy and our diversification proejcts are underpinned by our determination to future-proof one of our city’s critical assets.
“Community feedback will be sought and valued throughout the life of the project, and we have reached a stage in planning for the Clean Energy Precinct where we can walk interested community members through our planning to date, and gain insight into any questions or concerns they might have.
“Obtaining feedback from our community is not just a tick-box part of our planning process. In establishing a new economy that will benefit the region, it is critical that we bring our community on this journey with us, educate them to understand the project, and for the Port to hear and consider all views,” Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said.
These community consultation sessions as well as public survey follow detailed briefings of industry and the Port’s Community Liaison Group (CLG) that is comprised of about 20 representatives of suburbs, businesses and community groups bordering the Port and its surrounding city.
The drop-in community consultation sessions are led by the project team along with technical and environmental specialists from the Port and WSP. More information on the drop-in sessions can be found here.
As planning progresses further, more community consultation sessions are expected to be held.
“As a Port uniquely part of the city’s landscape, Port of Newcastle is closely connected to its surrounding community, giving our local community a strong sense of connectivity and belonging to the Port.
“This is just the start of the conversation. What our community thinks is important to us. Every point of view will be considered in future planning stages. We are committed to answering questions that we can now, and working to consider feedback and answer those we don’t know as the project develops,” Mr Carmody said.
The project is supported by a $100 million funding commitment from the Australian Government, effectively designating the Port of Newcastle as New South Wales’ future hydrogen hub.
The Clean Energy Precinct is going to be built on a 220-hectare land on Kooragang Island, which was the industrial wasteland of the former BHP Steelworks facility and has been remediated for future use.
This development will deliver a large-scale clean energy production precinct that provides common use, open access, shared infrastructure across clean energy storage, transport and export facilities. The Clean Energy Precinct will help position Newcastle and the Hunter region as a leading production, storage and export hub for future clean energy products such as hydrogen and green ammonia and advanced manufacturing.
The Port of Newcastle is projecting that up to 5,800 jobs will be created through the development of the Clean Energy Precinct, delivering a multi-generational impact to the Hunter and surrounding regions.
Source: Port of Newcastle (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine