sustainability
Licence to operate
We are committed to preventing pollution, promoting sustainability and minimising impacts on the environment and the local community. Through dedicated, genuine relationships we deliver value back to the community.
Air quality
Managing dust is a key focus
Our control techniques, processes and systems are world class
Monitoring air quality and acting responsibly are fundamental to the success and integrity of our operations. In 2025, we maintained effective dust management performance, with no material air quality impacts reported. While this positive result is encouraging, we remain vigilant to take prompt action when needed, including delaying or, if necessary, ceasing operations during unfavourable weather conditions.
Data from the Newcastle Local Air Quality Monitoring Network indicates that air quality in the Newcastle region was generally consistent with conditions observed in recent years. Monitored results indicated that air quality met relevant national air quality objectives for most of the year. No sustained or material deterioration in regional air quality was identified, and overall trends were broadly comparable with historical performance.
We developed an air quality improvement initiative register to capture potential improvement projects for further investigation. Evaluation of our Intelligent Dust Management System (IDMS) also continued throughout the year, with refinements implemented where possible.
Noise
We action proactive strategies to ensure effective noise management outcomes
We implement effective noise control processes and technology
We take a strategic long-term approach to effectively manage our noise emissions that considers potential noise sources across all areas of our operations and works toward progressive reduction over time. This includes regular plant maintenance, ongoing audits and reviews of performance against noise goals, continuous improvement of our noise control processes, and the trial and adoption of technological advancements.
We undertook detailed investigations to better understand instances of noise exceedances at the Carrington Terminal and identify opportunities for improvement. This analysis included a review of monitoring data, operational conditions, background noise characteristics and meteorological influences, and informed a broader review of the internal noise goal framework.
Low-noise roller trials continued at both the Kooragang and Carrington terminals. We will continue to install low-noise rollers where operationally appropriate.
Water
Water is essential to our operations
Our water management is balanced and effective
Water management remains one of the key environmental concerns for our local community and we must comply with all water-related conditions specified in our Environment Protection Licences (EPLs), consents and other regulatory licences, while using water sustainably.
The water management system at Carrington continued to manage stormwater through consistent use of the Controlled Discharge Filtration System (CDFS). However, on three occasions rainfall exceeded the system’s design storage capacity resulting in overflows to the Hunter River.
The Kooragang Terminal also experienced frequent overflow events during 2025, particularly between April and August, driven by the intensity and volume of rainfall during storm events.
Despite the challenges, we achieved our 2025 performance target to reduce the amount of sediment contained within excess water released to the Hunter River, with an annual combined average of total suspended solids concentration of 46.4mg/L discharged between the Kooragang and Carrington Terminals.
Environmental Footprint
Reducing our environmental footprint
We implement opportunities to reduce our demand on nature
Port Waratah defines its environmental footprint as our demand on the capacity of the natural resources and environment in which we operate. It concerns potable water consumption, land use and biodiversity and waste
The increased reliance on potable water to meet operational demands was primarily due to lower harvestable rainfall during the summer months, combined with pond cleaning activities at the main water storage facilities early in the year, and a leak identified and rectified in June.
We continued to work in partnership with the University of Newcastle in a research programme for the Green and Golden Bell Frog population on Kooragang Island. We also extended our partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to continue the instalment of artificial ponds on Ash Island to enhance frog habitat.
During the year, we conducted regular site inspections to identify and prioritise weed treatment as part of our broader land management activities. We also continued trialling aerial weed spraying at both terminals, successfully targeting invasive and high risk weed species with more than 95 per cent effectiveness.
In 2025, we achieved a landfill diversion rate of 94.4 per cent. We have successfully maintained a diversion rate of over 90 per cent for nine consecutive years.
Climate
We're committed to our 2030 emissions reduction target
We deliver strategies to improve our energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
We have established a goal to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030. The Port Waratah Climate Action Plan 2023-2030 has four key themes, all with a set of actions that will contribute to continuous emissions reduction and achieving our 2030 goal.
In 2025, we prepared for mandatory climate reporting, introduced our first electric vehicles and developed Standard Operating Instruction criteria to assess new and replacement fleet requests, which prioritises the lowest emission and most operationally effective option.
Our electricity intensity was 0.6848 kWh per tonne of coal handled. We achieved a 0.2 per cent improvement relative to the three-year rolling average.
Port Waratah has made progress against the climate action plan target, measured against a 2018 baseline recording a 38 per cent reduction in 2025 using market-based calculations. Renewable electricity made up 11.2 per cent of total electricity purchased in 2025 contributing to the progress towards our target.
Relationships, Social Impacts and Contributions
We’re an active member of Newcastle & the Hunter Region
We contribute to a smart, sustainable and vibrant Newcastle
Port Waratah is dedicated to engaging with our stakeholders through open, timely and two-way communication. Understanding and meeting our stakeholders’ expectations is a key priority. We aim to measure, evaluate and communicate our performance beyond compliance requirements, addressing their interests and concerns.
We launched a refresh of our brand with a new tagline – Trusted to Deliver. The Trusted to Deliver brand captures our values and our commitment to safety, operational excellence and responsible action.
Port Waratah’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) delivered meaningful outcomes in 2025, including strengthened cultural awareness across our workforce and impactful community partnerships.
We spent $147 million in the Hunter Region supporting local contractors, suppliers and professional services. This equates to 58 per cent of our total expenditure, which is below our target. The downturn in the percentage is due to the significant Kooragang Shiploader Investment programme expenditure with an Australian business in Western Australia.
Our Community Investment and Partnership Programme invested $850,000 supporting projects that address areas of community need and contribute to the overall sustainability of Newcastle and the Hunter Region.
