North Sydney Council’s Coal Loader Platform is Park of the Year
The place Pittwater Artists have exhibited at has won two awards this week. Another local connection, in President of Newport SLSC Robert Emerson, who has worked for years on this project, means a large celebration is in order.
North Sydney Council’s Coal Loader Platform has won a prestigious award – Parks and Leisure Australia’s Park of the Year. The 2018 Sustainable Cities award for Heritage and Culture has also been added this week to recognitions for the site.
Earlier this year, the new Platform at the historic Coal Loader site in Waverton won PLA’s NSW state round for Park of the Year and Community Facility of the Year.
The national PLA Park of the Year award, which was presented to North Sydney Council on 16 October, is one of the highest accolades that can be bestowed upon an open space or community project.
North Sydney Council Mayor Jilly Gibson said:
After many years of hard work and investment by North Sydney Council, it’s fantastic that the Coal Loader Platform is being recognised, first at state level and now at a national level, as one of the most unique public open spaces in Sydney.
The Platform offers stunning views of the harbour, lovely picnic spots, sustainable gardens and native wildlife for people of all ages to enjoy.
This latest accolade from Parks and Leisure Australia is a testament to the vision, creativity and hard work that has gone into making the Platform a public asset that future generations can cherish.
The Coal Loader Platform also won the Australian Institute of Landscape Architect’s (AILA) NSW Cultural Heritage Award of Excellence earlier this year.
The Platform has also been nominated in the 2018 Australian Urban Design Awards later this month, in the built Projects, local and neighbourhood scale category.
The string of awards comes after the former coal-loading platform on the historic site underwent a complete makeover, transforming it into one of Sydney’s largest publicly accessible green roof spaces.
The one-hectare concrete and sandstone platform (seven Olympic-sized swimming pools would fit side by side along its length) is now a multi-purpose recreational and ‘outdoor classroom’ space with spectacular views of the harbour.
One way to get to see this great Sydney asset is to visit during the Spring Sounds happening on November 3rd - details below.
Spring Sounds on the Platform - Saturday 3 November, 3pm-9pm
Celebrate the arrival of spring with live music, good food and free entertainment on Sydney’s largest multi-award winning public rooftop garden - The Coal Loader Platform.
As one of Sydney’s newest event spaces, this stunning waterfront venue will play host to a collection of acoustic musicians and activities on Saturday 3 November, from 3pm to 9pm.
With more than 20 individual acts and performances, there promises to be something to suit all musical tastes. Performers and activities will be dispersed across the entire Coal Loader site, encouraging visitors to explore all this unique space has to offer.
The newly-opened tunnels and its associated chambers will feature a variety of different acts and performers throughout the day, allowing visitors to go on their own musical journey.
Between 3pm and 6pm, there will be plenty of family friendly activities as well musical performances.
From 6pm to 9pm, the event will transition into relaxed evening, allowing visitors to enjoy the acoustic sounds and spectacular sunset views from the Platform pop-up-bar.
While good food and drinks will be available onsite, visitors are encouraged to bring their own keep cups and bottles. BYO picnics are also welcome.
Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability
2 Balls Head Dr, Waverton
The full program may and list of musicians may be seen here: www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Spring_Sounds_on_the_Platform
Artisans Market
Date : 25 November 2018 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Venue: Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability
Council Event
Cost: Free
Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability
2 Balls Head Dr, Waverton
The Coal Loader Artisans Market is held three times a year and features over 70 stalls!
This unique market offers people an opportunity to purchase original and creative handmade products directly from emerging and contemporary designers, artists and makers, while enjoying the atmosphere of the beautiful and historic Waverton Coal Loader site, right on Sydney Harbour.
Stalls display and sell art, ceramics, sculpture, paper-making, basketry, sustainable design and fashion, jewellery, accessories, wool creations, textiles, food, children's design and much more. Come along and meet the maker.
Held rain or shine at the waterfront Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, the venue offers a beautiful all-weather marketplace to showcase local creative talent.
(Each stallholder is selected for their originality, creative design, and fit with the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability's ethos.)
About the Coal Loader
The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability (the Coal Loader) is the face of sustainability at North Sydney Council.
Located on the Waverton waterfront, the Coal Loader is a place to relax, be inspired, grab a coffee or lunch, and learn.
It is a platform for the delivery of a wide range of sustainability programs and a location where people can visit to be inspired to make change for sustainability in their lives.
It is a community meeting point and hub for Council's extensive range of environmental and sustainability programs and a site with an interesting history as an ex-industrial coal bunkering site on Sydney Harbour.
It has been transformed into a place which displays best-practice sustainable technology, community gardens, native bush nursery, food gardens, regenerated parklands and a fascinating history.Photo: General Manager Ken Gouldthorp, Mayor Jilly Gibson, Council’s Landscape Architect/Project Manager David Banbury and Council Director of Open Space and Environmental Services Robert Emerson with the Parks and Leisure Australia ‘Park of the Year’ award and another award the Coal Loader picked up this week – the 2018 Sustainable Cities award for Heritage and Culture – on the Coal Loader Platform.
Find out more about the Coal Loader Platform at www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/CoalLoaderPlatform
Coal Loader - Return to Community
By North Sydney Council - published 2017
A history of Balls Head and its Coal Loader.