Hunter logistics provider Port Waratah Coal Services has hosted a Community Open Day to celebrate 50 years of terminal operations, welcoming approximately 700 residents, employee volunteers, and community partners to its facilities. Commencing operations in 1976, the coal export terminal operator has expanded its combined annual export handling capacity from an initial 16 million tonnes at Carrington Terminal to 145 million tonnes across its Carrington and Kooragang facilities.
The Carrington Terminal expanded its service capacity to 25 million tonnes per annum in 1982, while Kooragang Terminal operations commenced in 1984, subsequently growing to deliver 120 million tonnes of annual capacity. Over the past decade, Port Waratah has maintained an average annual throughput of approximately 100 million tonnes, servicing major export markets across South-East Asia, including Japan, China and Taiwan.
The anniversary event featured guided site tours of the Kooragang and Carrington ship-loading wharves, static heavy equipment displays, historical memorabilia, First Nations cultural workshops, and interactive community activities. Attendees also participated in the Vote on a Good Cause campaign, casting votes to distribute a $30,000 community grant pool across three local partner charity organisations: the University of Newcastle EMU Program, the Hunter Medical Research Institute, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Port Waratah Coal Services, Trudie Larnach stated that the 50-year operational milestone reflects long-term workforce experience and regional supply chain partnerships.
“The Community Open Day is about celebrating and being proud of what we have built over time – decades of safe, reliable and responsible performance,” Trudie said.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank all of our current and past employees, our coal chain and contracting partners and our local community for your contributions over the past 50 years and to our ongoing operational success. Having 700 people attend today is recognition of our strong connections and relationships. Many of our people have spent decades with Port Waratah, and their experience, commitment and professionalism continue to underpin our strong operational performance. Fifty years is a significant achievement. I hope everyone here enjoys our Community Open Day celebration and discovers something new about Port Waratah, whether on a site tour stopping at our wharf next to the vessels, exploring the equipment and our history displays or talking with our community partners and volunteers. There’s something for everyone, and we are delighted to host the community and those closest to our team to celebrate 50 years of Port Waratah.”
IMAGE | Port Waratah Coal Services marks 50th anniversary with 700-person Community Open Day
