Sustainability at GeelongPort
Sustainable development encompasses many areas, including good health and well-being, economic growth, innovation and infrastructure and reduced inequities.
We understand the importance of our role in providing ongoing economic benefits to regional Victoria, promoting sound management practices and building quality partnerships. Our partnership with GROW G21 works collaboratively with businesses, government and community organisations to grow a stronger local economy by changing the way we buy and employ locally, to support local businesses and help create equitable and sustainable jobs.
Our local actions have an impact on global sustainable development, that’s why we align our environmental, social and governance activities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
GeelongPort’s ESG activities align with the following SDGs:
ESG materiality
In FY26, using the materiality process outlined in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards 2021, we engaged our internal and external stakeholders to determine the topics that matter most to them and over which GeelongPort has the most significant impact. This approach informs the areas of focus for GeelongPort and frames the content of our annual sustainability reports.
Environment
Contaminated land management
Biodiversity and Habitat Degradation
Energy Transition
Social
Occupational health and safety
Critical Incident Risk Management
Governance
Legal and regulatory compliance
Cyber security
Board ESG oversight
Between 2023 and 2026, the materiality rankings shift toward stronger governance and emerging topics. This is evidenced by Board ESG Oversight elevating to the top ranking as well as the introduction of three new material priorities including Critical Incident Risk Management, Biodiversity and Habitat Degradation and Energy Transition.
2026 Materiality assessment
- Board ESG Oversight
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Critical Incident Risk Management
- Contaminated Land Management
- Cyber security
- Biodiversity and Habitat Degradation
- Energy Transition
2023 Materiality assessment
- Occupational health and safety
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions
- Contaminated land management
- Stakeholder relations
- Cyber security
- Board ESG oversight
- Air pollution
Note: Lists are ordered in order of material importance prioritised by stakeholders.
GRESB performance
GeelongPort has achieved a global milestone, earning a perfect score of 100/100 in the 2025 GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment, ranking first among 652 organisations worldwide. 2025 marks the fifth year in a row of GeelongPort achieving a five-star rating
About GRESB
GRESB, previously known as the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, provides systematic reporting, objective scoring and peer benchmarking of ESG management and performance of infrastructure assets around the world.
Established in 2009, GRESB has become the leading ESG benchmark for real estate and infrastructure assets, used to better understand the opportunities, risks and choices that need to be made as the industry transitions to a more sustainable future.
Participating entities are given a GRESB Rating each year based on how they score on the ESG issues most material to their business. If an entity’s GRESB score is placed in the top quintile of its sector, it is recognised as a GRESB five-star rated entity. Each year, only 20 per cent of entities receive a GRESB five-star rating.