Kooragang Island

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

Orica Community Investment Program brings youth arts initiative to Surfest

Tantrum Youth Arts, a Newcastle-based arts organisation for youth and one of the recipients in Orica’s Community Investment Program, will perform its first major production Community Investment for 2014 at Surfest. Diving off the Edge of the World is a Island Program theatrical journey celebrating the dreams of young people to one day travel the globe. It was inspired by the paddling pool at Newcastle Baths, which once upon a time featured The next round of funding a huge concrete map of the world with continents so big will open on 1 March 2014 you could jump off them into the water. The performances will coincide with Surfest on 14, 15, 21 and 22 February The next round of the Orica Community Investment and will be held at Newcastle Ocean Baths. Program will open on 1 March 2014. The program Orica is proud to help cultivate a piece of Newcastle provides up to $120,000 a year in grant funding to eligible history and incorporate it into a creative production that community groups across the Newcastle region. inspires youth and memories of the long-gone “Map of For more information or to check your project or group’s the World” pool. eligibility visit www.orica.com/kooragang For more information visit www.tantrumtheatre.org.au

Children rehearse at Newcastle Ocean Baths for their Surfest performance debut

Telephone 1800 789 044 Email [email protected] www.orica.com/kooragang Improving ammonia Ammonia plant management planned maintenance

Orica Kooragang Island continues to implement a On 22 February 2014, the ammonia plant at Kooragang program of works designed to improve the way ammonia Island will be temporarily shut down for planned is managed and utilised on site. This has included an maintenance activities, otherwise known as a turnaround. application to the NSW Department of Planning and The $9.1 million project will see around 215 jobs completed Infrastructure (DoPI) to modify the site’s existing expansion and involve more than 200 extra workers on site. project development consent to include the construction and operation of three ammonia flaring systems. Turnarounds are conducted every two and a half years to ensure the safe operation of the plant is maintained. The To support the application, an Environmental Assessment February turnaround activities will include: (EA) was completed and included specific studies relating to air quality, noise, visual amenity, and hazard and risk. • replacement of spent catalysts • statutory inspections of plant pressure vessels The EA was publicly exhibited on the DoPI website during December 2013 and provided an opportunity for the • inspection, overhaul and setting of relief valves general public and regulatory authorities to comment on the • general repairs application and EA prior to DoPI making a determination. • installation of new equipment Eleven submissions were received during the exhibition • testing of safety instrumented systems period, including six submissions from the general public. • structural repairs to the converter. All submissions can be viewed on the DoPI website. Orica is preparing a response to the issues raised in the The turnaround activities will occur around the clock on submissions for consideration by DoPI in its determination key jobs, however, we have planned the work to minimise of the application. noise during the night. The installation of ammonia flares will provide an additional layer of ammonia safety on site, further There will be teams working continuously to complete reducing the risk to both the community and Orica repairs on a tall structure in the ammonia plant. During personnel. In conjunction with the ammonia flare approval nightshift, a large floodlight will be used to light up the process, Orica continues to implement improvements to structure and work area, making this structure more visible existing ammonia handling systems. Work planned to to the community. commence early this year includes: The works should take around two weeks to complete. • the replacement and upgrade of a number of During the start-up you may notice a steam plume from ammonia relief valves located in the site’s ammonia, ammonia storage, and nitrates plant areas one of the tall vent stacks for an extended period of time • changes to the nitrates ammonia collection system to - this is a normal part of the start-up process. There will allow routine ammonia venting to be directed to an also typically be increased noise from the ammonia plant existing ammonia scrubber in another plant during the start-up. Atmospheric conditions may cause • the further connection of thermal relief valves gas, which is vented during the start-up, to ignite. This, in located in the ammonia storage plant area to the ammonia storage scrubber turn, may result in a flare from one or more of the stacks. • replacement of two pressurised ammonia storage Ensuring the health and safety of our employees and the tanks with a new, smaller, tank and associated feed community, as well as protecting the environment, will be and supply pumps. our highest priority during these activities.

2 / 4 ORICA - Kooragang Island Distributed control Orica Tag Team systems upgrade in Challenge at Surfest plants now complete Orica is proud to sponsor the opening event for Surfest for the second successive year, the Orica Tag Team Challenge. In a major project during 2013, the distributed control Stockton’s Northside Boardriders will host the event at systems (DCS) in each of the five plants in the nitrates North , where the best of ’s area were upgraded. The DCS is a computer system that board clubs will battle it out in an exciting team format. operates the plant and the project took more than two Prize money of $10,000 and bragging rights are up for years to plan and complete. The upgrade, which was very grabs. The Orica Tag Team Challenge runs from Friday 31 complex, was completed successfully without incident. January to Sunday 2 February. We invite you to bring a Benefits of the upgrade include improvements to the deck chair to North Stockton Beach and enjoy the event. operability and robustness of plant alarm systems. The remainder of Surfest 2014 will be held at Merewether Beach from 13 to 23 February.

Orica is proud to bring Surfest, the biggest festival in the southern hemisphere and Newcastle’s only annual international sporting event, to Stockton.

For more information visit www.surfest.com

The new distributed control system in the nitrates control room operates five plants

The 9th annual Orica Kermesse

The Orica Kermesse is set to kick off the NSW Cycling open events for 2014 on Saturday 15 March. Hosted by the Hunter District Cycling Club (HDCC) at Kooragang Island, the event starts and finishes in front of the Orica site at Kooragang Island.

More than 300 riders from NSW are expected to flock to Kooragang Island to compete for a share of the prize pool of more than $3,000. This year’s Orica Kermesse will include more junior races and a women’s event. The action will commence at 10.30am and the main race will start at around 3pm.

Come down and watch some of the state’s best ride it out on this course and talk with one of our friendly Orica employees about our operations and community work.

3 / 4 ORICA - Kooragang Island Orica Kooragang Island Don’t have web access? Community Reference If you’d like any further information simply phone Group (CRG) 1800 789 044 and we will happily post you a hard copy.

The CRG was established in 2005 to strengthen the relationship between the site and the local community and Community events calendar provides a forum for ongoing communication between Orica and the community. Membership includes residents Surfest Orica Tag Team Challenge from Stockton, Fern Bay, Mayfield, Carrington, Maryville Friday 31 January to Sunday 2 February 2014, and Wickham, representatives from Newcastle City Council, North Stockton Beach local environmental groups, local industry and sensitive groups such as schools and residential facilities. Orica Kermesse Meeting notes and presentations are available at Saturday 15 March 2014, www.orica.com/kooragang. Orica is committed 15 Greenleaf Road Kooragang to meeting the expectation of transparent and open communication with the community. We value your Quarterly CRG meetings for 2014 feedback on the type of information you are interested in 5pm to 7pm on the last Monday of the month: and how this can be shared in a way that is meaningful. 24 February If you are interested in becoming a member of the 26 May CRG please submit an expression of interest with your 25 August name, the group you represent (if applicable) and your 24 November interest in being a CRG member to [email protected] or via our Community Relations Manager on 1800 789 044. Community Site Tours for 2014* 10am to 12.30pm on the second Saturday of every second month (even numbered month) excluding Community Enquiries December: and Complaints Line 8 February 12 April Orica has a 24-hour toll-free number, dedicated to taking 14 June enquiries and complaints from the community. Orica 9 August endeavours to have calls answered onsite as efficiently 11 October as possible. Onsite calls are answered by our Community Relations Manager, Receptionist or Security Officer. Calls that cannot be answered onsite are diverted to our Community Newsletters Emergency Response Service, which will take a detailed The first week of every second month (even message and immediately forward it to Orica Kooragang numbered month) excluding December. Island for follow-up. Orica’s goal is to respond to each enquiry or complaint in a prompt and thorough manner. Next Newsletter April If you have any feedback please share it with us on 1800 789 044.

*By registration only. Participants must be a minimum age of 16.

4 / 4 ORICA - Kooragang Island Telephone 1800 789 044 Email [email protected] www.orica.com/kooragang