8/3/2019 Orica letter to Newcastle community

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/orica-letter-to-newcastle-community 1/1

29 November 2011

Dear Stockton and Fern Bay residents

The Operation of Orica’s Plant at Kooragang Island - Commitment to Improvement Works

As Managing Director and CEO of Orica, I want to again offer my sincere apologies to all those whohave been affected by the incidents at our Kooragang Island site over the past months, particularly tothe residents of Stockton and other neighbouring communities. These incidents have really shaken usas an organisation and the company is determined to rebuild trust with the local community, no matterhow long that might take.

Some of the comments I hear about Orica from the community and elsewhere are very distressing. Idon’t accept that those views reflect who we are as a group of people, and we are very determined toturn that perception around. As a company we are committed to the safe and environmentally soundoperation of our Kooragang Island plant and to be a responsible corporate neighbour.

Orica makes an important contribution to the local and broader Newcastle community. Our operationsplay a key role in the NSW economy, supplying critical products to the mining and infrastructure,agriculture, water supply, food, dairy and medical sectors. Orica at Kooragang Island is directlyresponsible for the employment of 170 people, the site employs many contractors and supplies productsto its customers that provide employment to thousands more. These activities generate income whichbenefits your local community and many communities throughout NSW. 

The Orica Board has committed to an extensive upgrade program at the plant. Much of this work was to

be undertaken as part of the Ammonium Nitrate Expansion Project, which has a target completion dateof late 2014. However, we acknowledge that we must bring forward some of the key aspects of thisproject to ensure improved performance of the Kooragang Island site.

Through investment in both capital and our people, Orica plans to:

• Reduce air emissions – this will include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions andinvestigations to reduce particulate emissions from the plant.

• Reduce the hazard/risk profile of our operations.

• Reduce noise from the site, improve effluent and site stormwater systems, and continue toremediate legacy contamination.

Orica is expecting to invest an additional $12 - $15 million a year over the next three years to implement

these improvement works at the plant. Over coming months we will report our progress to you throughregular newsletters and advertorial in local papers, and continued dialogue with the CommunityReference Group. Our website, www.oricaki.com.au, will be updated with the latest information on aregular basis. We will continue to seek your feedback.

Yours sincerely 

Graeme LiebeltManaging Director and CEO 

www.oricaki.com.au  info@oricaki.com.au  Ph: 1800 789 044 

Graeme LiebeltManaging Director and CEO

Orica LimitedABN 24 004 145 868