Airport receives sustainability certification
Newcastle Airport’s terminal expansion has officially achieved a 5 Star Green Star Buildings ‘As Built’ certification from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
The 5 Star Green Star certification assessed a range of sustainability initiatives incorporated into the terminal expansion, including energy efficiency, operational performance, environmental impact reduction and sustainable building practices.
“Newcastle Airport has demonstrated how major infrastructure can reduce its environmental impact while creating lasting value for passengers, the community and the region,” GBCA CEO Davina Rooney said. “We congratulate the team on setting a new benchmark for sustainable airport development in Australia.”
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said sustainability had been embedded in the project from the very beginning.
“We were undertaking a major capital expansion and that gave us permission to fundamentally rethink how we design assets, source energy, finance projects and plan for long-term operations,” Horton said. “We see sustainability as integral to running a better airport for our region, with our sustainability strategy extending well beyond the terminal itself.
“We’ve achieved net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions six years ahead of target, transitioned to 100% renewable electricity and our solar installations now generate between 20 and 30% of the airport’s electricity demand.
“We also secured a sustainability-linked finance facility with Commonwealth Bank, directly linking financing performance to sustainability outcomes. That demonstrates sustainability is core to how we run the business.”
The Terminal Expansion forms part of Newcastle Airport’s broader sustainability strategy and has received national recognition for its sustainable outcomes, including:
- Winner — 2025 National Airport Industry Awards — Sustainability & Infrastructure
- Winner — 2025 Hunter Business Awards — Excellence in Sustainability
- Finalist — 2025 Australian Aviation Awards — Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- Finalist — 2025 Business NSW Awards — Excellence in Sustainability
“This certification recognises Newcastle Airport’s commitment to delivering infrastructure that supports both economic growth and environmental responsibility, while setting a new benchmark for sustainable airport development in Australia,” said Newcastle Airport Chair Samantha Martin-Williams.
“Being the first airport terminal building in Australia to achieve a 5 Star Green Star certification under the new rating tool is a remarkable achievement and reflects the ambition of our airport, our partners and our region.
“At a time when Australia is focused on delivering a Future Made in Australia, Newcastle Airport is helping position the Hunter at the forefront of that future, supporting industry growth, enabling new opportunities and demonstrating what sustainable regional infrastructure can achieve.”
Since the international terminal was completed last year, Newcastle Airport has grown its international and domestic network, increasing passenger capacity, operational capability and global connectivity for the Hunter region.
For more information on the Newcastle Airport 2036 Vision, visit the website. For more information on the Green Star Building rating system, visit GBCA.
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