Land Management
Land Management
Proper land management is an important part of BlueScope’s licence to operate and a key guiding principle in Our Bond which recognises that our communities are our homes. Under our stewardship, we aim to improve our working and living environment by reducing the environmental impact of our operations and addressing legacy issues.
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BlueScope Steel has a total of 222 manufacturing, processing and distribution sites in 16 countries, as shown in the table below. Small sites are used for product storage through to cold metal forming operations and are often leased. Medium sites include metal coating and painting lines and mining operations. Large sites include cokemaking, ironmaking, steelmaking and hot rolling operations.
| Country | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 152 |
4 |
2 |
| Brunei | 1 |
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| China | 7 |
1 |
|
| Fiji | 1 |
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| India | 3 |
||
| Indonesia | 3 |
1 |
|
| Malaysia | 4 |
1 |
|
| Mexico | 1 |
||
| New Caledonia | 1 |
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| New Zealand | 2 |
1 |
|
| Singapore | 1 |
||
| Sri Lanka | 1 |
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| Thailand | 3 |
1 |
|
| USA | 23 |
3 |
1 |
| Vanuatu | 1 |
||
| Vietnam | 2 |
1 |
|
| Total | 204 |
14 |
4 |
Zero Land Contamination
Land contamination occurs when chemical substances are concentrated in the soil and ground water above natural levels. Elevated levels of pollutants have the potential to cause adverse effects to human health and the environment. BlueScope Steel manages ongoing operations to prevent new land contamination, while continuing to identify, understand and manage legacy issues. The Company aspires to zero new land contamination at each of its sites.
Protected Areas
Some of BlueScope’s facilities are located on or adjacent to areas which may be rich in biodiversity or have cultural significance. BlueScope Steel proactively participates in the ongoing management and protection of these areas through a variety of programs as outlined below.
| Country | Site | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Port Kembla Steelworks | Tom Thumb Lagoon | |
| Green and Golden Bell Frog Ponds | ||
| Dapto Remnant Indigenous Forest | ||
| Western Port | Western Port Wetlands | |
| UNESCO Biosphere Reserve | ||
| New Zealand | Waikato North Head Ironsand Mine | Maori Burial Sites |
| Waikato River and Wetlands | ||
| Taharoa Ironsand Mine | Sacred Maori Sites | |
| Taharoa Lakes and Wainui Stream | ||
| Glenbrook Mills | Waiuku River | |
| Waikato River | ||
| Archaeological Sites | ||
| Remnant Indigenous Forest | ||
| North America | Steelscape Kalama | Columbia River |
Western Port Wetlands of International Importance
The wetlands at Western Port are listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, more commonly known as the Ramsar Convention. A Ramsar wetland site is considered representative, rare or unique, or important for conserving biological diversity.
The wetlands at Western Port cover more than 59,000 hectares and include a wide variety of habitat types including deep channels, seagrass beds, mudflats, extensive mangrove thickets and saltmarsh vegetation. Wetlands are important feeding grounds and nurseries for land, marine and freshwater animals. Hundreds of bird species depend on wetlands around the world as part of their life cycle.
BlueScope’s Western Port facility owns a section of the wetlands. The Company has implemented a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP), encouraging planting of indigenous species and working to reduce weeds and feral animals. Western Port’s recycled water project which is underway will also minimise discharge to Western Port.
A “Land for Wildlife” refuge, a haven for native flora and fauna on 183 hectares of the site, is helping preserve the unique natural environment of the Western Port area.
Current controls
BlueScope Steel facilities have a variety of preventative and mitigating controls in place to prevent land contamination. These controls include:
- Sealed floors in operational areas
- Stockpile management
- Bunds where bulk chemicals are stored
- Maintenance of pipes, vessels and valves
- Spill response procedures
- Remediation processes
In order that protected areas are appropriately cared for, the Company employs various strategies, which include:
- Involvement with community groups
- Improvement and conservation activities
- Minimisation of operational impacts
Performance
During the 2011 financial year, there were no significant incidents with the potential to contaminate land.
