The Coal Loader embodies both environmental and social sustainability and is an outstanding example of modern placemaking.
With a living classroom, opportunity to deliver education addressing a wide range of curriculum and an awe inspiring outdoor setting, visiting the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability provides exciting learning opportunities for students from primary right through to tertiary education.
Once an industrial site based 2km from Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Centre is now a beacon of sustainability while still embracing its indigenous and industrial heritage. The Centre’s interactive facilities offer students the chance to learn first-hand how to live sustainably at school and in their homes. A visit to the Coal Loader will hopefully fuel a passion in students to make a positive difference when it comes to sustainability.
A visit to the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability will introduce your students to explore:
- a heritage site with a rich indigenous and industrial history, transformed into a showcase of sustainable technology
- heritage buildings that have been retrofitted to showcase energy and water efficiency
- Indigenous carvings and bush food gardens
- a thriving man-made wetland
- the biodiversity of Balls Head Reserve, including rare and endangered flora and fauna
- sustainable living in action including organic waste recycling, community gardens and chickens
- historic coal-loading equipment from the last century, including the original coal-loading tunnels and wharf
- artists in residence
- a state-of-the-art local government and community facility.
All schools and learning institutions are welcome to visit the Coal Loader to undertake self guided education. The Coal Loader Sustainability Learning Guide for years 5 to 12 has some helpful resources.
Coal Loader Sustainability Learning Guide
You can request a site introduction and orientation at the start of your self-led tour, and if available, can also have the use of one of our indoor learning spaces for the duration of your visit, free of charge. For more information, please contact our team: coalloader@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
Tertiary education
Tertiary institutions including university and TAFE groups are can also request guided tours of the Coal Loader to cover topics including industrial history, architecture, adaptive re-use and sustainability and environmental science.
Tertiary groups can also apply to run their own field days onsite and use the indoor learning spaces for the duration of their program, free of charge.
For enquiries, please contact coalloader@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
Child safe guidelines
Council aims to ensure that all children and young people remain safe while on Council premises and when utilising Council services.
Council believes that it is primarily the responsibility of parents and caregivers of children and young people to ensure their safety and wellbeing; however, Council has implemented strategies across Council venues to protect children and young people from abuse, harm and exploitation.
Council believes one of the most effective ways of preventing child abuse is to increase awareness amongst all Council staff, volunteers and the community.
Across all Council properties and facilities, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
Toilets and change rooms:
- children under the age of five must be accompanied and supervised at all times while in the toilets and change rooms
- if children are over the age of five but cannot go to their respective toilets or change rooms without supervision, parents and carers must be encouraged to use family rooms where possible.
Supervision:
- while on Council premises and in the care of their parents and carers, children and young people are not the responsibility of any Council staff, contractors or volunteers
- while on Council premises, children must be supervised at all times by their parents and carers
- a child or young person left unattended in a public place such as Council libraries, parks and pools may be classed as a child or young person at risk of harm in accordance with section 23 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act (1998). Whether or not staff, contractors or volunteers are mandatory reporters, they all have a duty of care to report any child protection concerns.
Age restrictions:
- at some Council properties and facilities, there are restrictions on the age of children and young people that are allowed entry without adult supervision. Any age restrictions need to be communicated to the community in an effective manner.
