A coal port expansion proposal, known as Terminal Number 4 (T4), was put forward by Port Waratah Coal Services in Newcastle in early 2014. The proposal has raised serious concerns for local surfers and local Surfrider Foundation Hunter Region Branch in regards to its cumulative coal vessel traffic on the beach and surf amenity and biodiversity of the Hunter beaches in the vicinity of Port of Newcastle. Local Surfrider representatives have taken part in ongoing community consultation processes, and delivered a submission requesting that the proposed terminal expansion include an environmental assessment, reporting on the impacts of the proposed coal terminal on Hunter beaches biodiversity.
Specifically the submission outlined the minimum requirements for the environmental assessment including the establishment of baseline data, followed by ongoing monitoring of environmental conditions of the areas unique coastline. Surfrider Foundation Hunter Region Branch will continue to push for appropriate environmental assessment processes to be put in place for the T4 proposal.