EnergyCo’s Newcastle Logistics Precinct – Maximising local opportunities in logistical services required for the energy transition.

Background
EnergyCo is developing the Newcastle Logistics Precinct – a critical new logistics hub that will support the delivery of more reliable and affordable renewable energy to homes and businesses across NSW. EnergyCo will develop the Precinct, located next to the Port of Newcastle, at the former BHP Steelwork’s Intertrade Site.  It will expand portside storage for vital equipment – including wind turbines and transformers – needed to build renewable energy projects across the state. Equipment will be stored on a newly paved laydown area before being loaded on to oversize overmass vehicles. It will then be delivered to energy projects using the state road network, sections of which are being upgraded to deal with these heavy vehicle movements through the Port to REZ project. The Precinct will significantly improve capacity to store and efficiently transport the equipment needed to build the critical renewable energy projects needed to replace ageing coal-fired power stations.

EnergyCo and New.E Objectives on delivering the forum

1. Inform local industry on key aspects of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct and how it intersects with EnergyCo projects 

2. Highlight project benefits to local industry and opportunities arising from direct engagement with the project.

3. Discuss the opportunity for innovative solutions that leverage the project pertaining to renewable energy transport & logistics. 

Event Summary 
Newcastle is positioned to become a key logistics hub for renewable energy componentry across NSW. Indicative vehicle movements emanating from EnergyCo’s $115m Newcastle Logistics Precinct are up to 300 heavy vehicle movements per week, including up to 10 OSOM vehicle movements per day/night from 2027 onwards. This briefing to industry will highlight key aspects of the project, analyse the opportunity across the transport and logistics value chain, and discuss innovation that can catalyse additional opportunities across the Hunter and Central Coast region. 

Presenters
EnergyCo – The NLP contribution to REZ delivery
Transport for NSW – Challenges & solutions in managing forecasted movements

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Dr Mark Apthorpe) – Innovative logistic solutions

Dr Mark Apthorpe recently retired as NSW’s first Electricity Infrastructure Jobs Advocate having been appointed by the Minister for Energy in February 2022. He has a detailed understanding of the renewables transition in NSW and the transport and logistics challenges this brings.

Mark has had an extensive career in transport and logistics, much of it involving businesses providing heavy vehicle logistics including OSOM vehicle movements.

He is the current chair of the Hunter Plant Operator Training School Ltd (HPOTS) and the Hunter section of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

CILT is the leading professional body for everyone who works in supply chain, logistics and transport with over 30,000 members globally. The Hunter section provides knowledge and networking activities focussed on the latest transport and logistics developments important to the Hunter.