newy.com.au – Newcastle Airport’s terminal expansion has become the first airport terminal building in Australia to receive a 5 Star Green Star certification under the Green Building Council of Australia’s new rating tool.
The airport announced on World Environment Day that the project had officially achieved a 5 Star Green Star Buildings ‘As Built’ certification, recognising sustainable design and construction measures incorporated into the completed expansion.
The certification assessed initiatives including energy efficiency, operational performance, environmental impact reduction and sustainable building practices. Newcastle Airport said the achievement formed part of a broader sustainability strategy tied to long-term regional growth and environmental outcomes.
Green Building Council of Australia chief executive Davina Rooney said the result was a significant milestone for airport infrastructure in Australia.
“Newcastle Airport has demonstrated how major infrastructure can reduce its environmental impact while creating lasting value for passengers, the community and the region,” Ms Rooney said.
“We congratulate the team on setting a new benchmark for sustainable airport development in Australia.”
Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said sustainability had been built into the project from the start.
“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,” Mr 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 per cent renewable electricity and our solar installations now generate between 20 and 30 per cent 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 has already received national recognition, winning the 2025 National Airport Industry Awards category for Sustainability and Infrastructure and the 2025 Hunter Business Awards category for Excellence in Sustainability. It was also a finalist in the Australian Aviation Awards for Sustainability Initiative of the Year and the Business NSW Awards for Excellence in Sustainability.
Newcastle Airport chair Samantha Martin-Williams said the certification was an important achievement for the airport and the Hunter.
“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,” Ms Martin-Williams said.
“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.”
The airport said the expanded international terminal, completed last year, had increased passenger capacity, operational capability and global connectivity for the Hunter. Newcastle Airport now offers direct international services to Bali and Singapore via Bali, as well as an expanded domestic network including direct flights to Perth and seasonal services to Hobart.
