NSW Govt Supports LNG Import Terminal
New South Wales Government is considering a proposal for a $590 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in the Port of Newcastle, with the project given critical state significance.Under the prosposal, the terminal will be built at Kooragang Island in Newcastle Port and promises to supply NSW with up to 80 per cent of its gas requirements.The Newcastle GasDock project - with an estimated direct onshore investment of up to AUD$250M at the Port - today received Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) status from NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Hon Rob Stokes MP.The announcement by Acting Premier John Barilaro and Mr Stokes recognises the need to significantly increase local gas supply…
Orica Fined Heavily for Australian Pollution Incidents
Orica Australia Pty Ltd has been convicted and penalised $768,250 in relation to charges brought by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for pollution incidents at Orica’s Kooragang Island and Botany plants. This includes a fine of $211,750 for the pollution incident that affected residents of Stockton, Newcastle, on Monday 8 August 2011, informs the NSW EPA. The NSW Land and Environment Court also required Orica to pay the EPA’s investigation costs of approximately $65,000 and the EPA’s legal costs. The Court ordered that the fine be paid to fund six projects in Newcastle and one at Botany aimed at restoring and enhancing the environment.
Newcastle Coal terminal extension project evaluation
Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) has commenced the evaluation of an extension to its Kooragang coal terminal at the Port of Newcastle. The proposed Terminal 4 (T4) Project expansion has reached Feasibility Study level and environmental approval is expected within 2014. It seeks to meet the increasing overseas demand for energy, ongoing expansion of the coal industry in the Hunter Valley, and PWCS obligation to clients. The project is a critical element of the long term export plan signed by the Hunter Coal industry and the New South Wales Government in late 2009. * construct coal stockyards, rail facilities, marine side infrastructure (e.g. * ensure sufficient terminal capacity to meet long term needs of coal producers.
Offshore Chemical Storage Okayed by Australian Authorities
A shipload of potentially explosive chemicals sitting off Newcastle, New South Wales, was given the all-clear by a federal agency, the NSW government says, according to a report in 'The Sydney Morning Herald' newspaper. Chemicals manufacturer Orica loaded about 3000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate onto the cargo ship MCP Kopenhagen for storage while the company carries out maintenance at its Kooragang Island plant. An AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) spokesman said eight operational deficiencies identified on the ship were fixed before the vessel sailed from port. None of the deficiencies related to the carriage of dangerous cargo, and none was serious enough for AMSA to detain the vessel, the spokesman said.
