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Welcome to Alcoa's Point Henry Community Update for Q4, 2025
As December draws to a close, we reflect on the progress made throughout the year across our former smelter site.
From advancing environmental remediation to working on potential partnerships for future redevelopment, our team has worked diligently to meet commitments and prepare for the next chapter.
This update highlights the milestones we’ve achieved together and offers a glimpse into what’s ahead for 2026.
On behalf of the Alcoa Point Henry team, I wish to thank the community for your continued interest in our work throughout the year and hope you enjoy a safe, healthy and happy festive season.
Warren Sharp | Point Henry Site Asset Manager
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Environment, health and safety
Throughout the year, all site activities were carried out safely, with no injuries reported among our workforce or contractors.
Of equal importance, we had no environmental non-compliances and maintained regular reporting to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
In line with the Environmental Action Notice, six-monthly status reports were submitted to EPA Victoria in June and December.
Our focus on zero harm to people and the environment remains our number one priority in 2026.
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Image above: Former CPL landfill site - surface finishing works complete ready for vegetation establishment.
Landfill consolidation project delivery
The landfill consolidation project is a key component of transitioning Point Henry into a valuable community asset for generations to come, involving reducing the number of our landfill sites from three to two.
During 2025 we reached a significant milestone with the complete removal of the former CPL landfill.
Other former CPL and Moolap landfill related works throughout the year included:
- Completing backfilling of the former CPL landfill site with clean soil to fill the void left after relocation of the CPL landfill contents to the new containment cells at the Moolap landfill site
- Revegetation of the former CPL landfill area with native grasses in accordance with the council planning permit issued for the project
- Sowing of pasture grass seed across the closed and capped portions of the Moolap landfill site after receiving the CPL landfill contents - establishment of vegetation on the Moolap landfill cap is a requirement of the site’s after care and management plan
- Management of the last remaining open cell of the Moolap landfill, remaining open until the receipt of final planned materials from the former smelter site
Final remediation of original landfill
Following completion of the landfill consolidation project, our focus shifted to planning for the long-term final capping and closure of the original landfill site located on the southeast corner of the former smelter site.
In 2026, and subject to final approvals, this work will include:
- Recovery of some historical waste placed on Crown land adjacent to the landfill, returning it to Alcoa freehold land, and remediating the historically impacted area
- Reshaping the landfill to significantly reduce its overall footprint
- Final capping using an EPA appointed auditor approved best environmental practice landfill capping system to ensure long-term protection of the environment
- Sowing of grass across the capped site
We continue to work closely with both the EPA, EPA appointed auditors, and local council to ensure all required permissions and planning permits are in place prior to the commencement of the planned works, which are expected to take up to two years to complete.
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Image above: Hays Road north pond liner removal
Continuation of remaining remediation works
Former smelter and Hays Road hot spot soil remediation
We continued and completed removal of locally impacted soil across our former smelter site, with activities including:
- Recovery and relocation of impacted soils to the new Moolap landfill site containment cells
- Removal, offsite treatment and disposal of a small amount of soil which exceeded the allowable classification for relocation to the Moolap landfill
- Clean soil importation to backfill several of the smelter site remediation excavation areas
- Removal of the last brine solution for reprocessing from the Hays Road brine ponds, removal of the pond liners, and commencement of the site remediation and relevelling works
- Environmental sampling to verify the completion of all hot spot remediation works
Eastern foreshore constructed wetlands remediation project
In July, we submitted a planning permit application with the local council for remediation of the engineered, constructed wetlands on the eastern foreshore of the former smelter site.
The works, involving the planned removal of contaminated sediments captured by design in the engineered wetland features during operation of the smelter and rolling mill, require council review and approval, along with several referral agencies, including EPA Victoria, the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, and the Catchment Management Authority.
Once approved, the works will be undertaken during periods of low rainfall to minimise any risks to the environment. The sediments will then be placed in the last remaining open landfill cell at the Moolap landfill site.
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Development partner EOI
Throughout 2025, we continued to progress the development partner expression of interest process to secure a potential long-term development partner who shares Alcoa’s values and vision for the redevelopment of the site as a legacy project for Geelong.
The Request for Proposal process was successfully completed with a high level of interest in the site continuing to be demonstrated, resulting in a further short list of potential development partners.
Further discussions are being held with the final shortlisted participants in the process, with a development partner expected to be confirmed in early 2026.
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Involving the community
In November, we proudly hosted the Bellarine Wanders for a walking tour of our site. A total of 22 members joined to hear recollections of the site’s history prior to and during operations, as well as an overview of the Alcoa Transformation team’s work in delivering the sites demolition, remediation and future land planning activities.
If you have any feedback or questions for Alcoa, please do not hesitate to contact the team via point.henry@alcoa.com.au.
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2026 focus areas
- Commencement of the final remediation, capping and landscaping of the original landfill following final regulatory approvals, expected to take up to two years to complete
- Completion of the Hays Road brine pond remediation activities
- Commencement of engineered wetlands remediation, following regulatory approvals
- Closure of the last remaining Moolap landfill cell once filled with the last planned materials from the former smelter site
- Preparing for the process to obtain the final Site Audit Statements for the site from the EPA appointed auditor following completion of remediation activities, confirming satisfactory completion of remediation activities and suitability of the site for potential future land uses
- Announce the selected development partner, setting the stage for long-term transformation over the coming decades
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Alcoa acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we operate, the Wadawurrung People, and pay respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
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Point Henry Road, Moolap VIC 3219
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