Kooragang Island

Kooragang Island
NewcastleNew South Wales
Population: 5 (2006 census)
Postcode: 2304
Location: 12 km (7 mi) NNW of Newcastle
LGA: City of Newcastle
Parish: Newcastle
State District: Port Stephens
Federal Division: Newcastle

Kooragang Island is located in the Hunter River of New South Wales, Australia and is the site of a deep water port for the export of coal. In 2007, 84.8 million metric tons of coal were exported from the port,[1] making it one of the busiest in the world. The infrastructure is being improved, for example with the Sandgate Flyover, this will allow the port to export 140 million tons of coal a year after 2010.[1]

The port first opened in about 1984.

Contents

Layout

For efficient operation, unloading trains operate around several balloon loops.

Other industry

There are other industries based on Kooragang Island such as Mountain Industries, which operates a bitumen plant, Blue Circle Southern Cement, SimsMetal recyclers and Orica Kooragang, which manufactures agricultural fertiliser and explosives for the mining industry.

Cycling

Kooragang Island is home to three Hunter cycling clubs being Kooragang Open Cycle Club, Hunter District Cycling Club and Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club.

Regular races are hosted on Saturday and Sunday with Friday night races during daylight saving.

Wind Turbine

A single 600 kW wind turbine is located between Cormorant Road and the Hunter River.[2]

Protest

In 2008 a Camp for Climate Action was held on the island by people protesting against the use of coal and its role in increasing global warming. Around 1000 protesters attended, chaining themselves to wagons and resulting in the delayed delivery of 20,000 tons of coal to the port.[1]

See also

References