Corporate

Other Major Developments

PORT KEMBLA

New five-year Environment Improvement Plan initiated

Our largest production facility, the Port Kembla Steelworks, has initiated a new five-year Environment Improvement Plan, in collaboration with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) of New South Wales and following community consultation. This new plan continues the work of four previous pollution reduction programs over the last 20 years, which have involved expenditure of more than $300 million and delivered significant environmental improvements to the Illawarra region.

In support of the new five-year plan, Port Kembla Steelworks has announced a $1.5 million site improvement program, designed to further improve its visual amenity.

New pollution control equipment commissioned

During the year, we commissioned new pollution control equipment at the Port Kembla Steelworks' sinter plant. This $94 million Sinter Machine Emission Reduction Project will significantly improve conditions in and around the Steelworks, largely eliminating dust emissions. In addition, an independent committee investigating naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMS) in the Illawarra region released a report in February 2003 which concluded there are no significant risks associated with NORMS from the Port Kembla Steelworks sinter plant operations.

Reducing fresh water consumption

Water management has been a focus at Port Kembla, as we strive to reduce overall water consumption and increase the amount of recycled water we use. Gas processing at the Steelworks' coke ovens achieved zero water discharge under dry weather conditions this year. An innovative partnership with Sydney Water, concluded this year, will result in the Port Kembla Steelworks taking 20 megalitres of recycled water per day from Sydney Water. This will reduce the Steelworks' freshwater consumption by 50 per cent.

WESTERN PORT

Western Port finalises new five-year Environment Improvement Plan

Our Western Port operation at Hastings in Victoria has also concluded an agreement with the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for a new five-year Environment Improvement Plan. This plan resulted from two years of consultation with the EPA and the local community consultative committee. The plan includes reductions in water use, waste to landfill, and greenhouse and energy intensity, as well as investigating the balance between operational imperatives and local environmental values.

EPA partnership to improve efficiency and reduce hazardous material

Western Port has also developed a partnership with the EPA on a pilot Process Integration Study, which aims to analyse the flow of materials, water and energy to improve efficient use of resources and reduce the quantities of hazardous material sent to landfill.

NEW ZEALAND STEEL

Permits received following consultation with community

In June 2003, New Zealand Steel received replacement water discharge permits for its iron and steelmaking facility at Glenbrook, following wide consultation with the local community, local iwi (Maori tribes) and other stakeholders.

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