The Rudd Labor Government will provide more than $1.8 million towards the innovative Coal Loader Parkland Centre for Sustainability project on Sydney’s North Shore.

I made the announcement at the site today with Cr Genia McCaffery, Mayor of North Sydney Council.

The project, which is worth more than $3.7 million, will redevelop the former Coal Loader site at Balls Head in Waverton into a 2.4-hectare community park complex and sustainability centre.

It will support 40 jobs during construction as well as 50 jobs over the longer term.

We are creating jobs in the local economy today while delivering lasting benefits for the local community.

The complex will provide residents and visitors to the area with open parkland on the Sydney Harbour foreshore.

The North Sydney Council project, is expected to include the following:

• The opening of the Coal Loader Site to full public access;


• Priority works to make the site safe and accessible to the community;


• Development of the site entry precinct, adaptive reuse of the remaining site heritage buildings for community facilities and workshop spaces;


• Conversion of the former coal loading platform and associated chutes and tunnels using state-of-the-art sustainable technologies as a demonstration green-roof/urban harvest site; and


• Sustainable technologies such as rainwater storage, cross ventilation, and water saving and energy efficient devices.

Once completed, the site is expected to include interactive learning activities to promote sustainable living, as well as education programs and tours by local Indigenous representatives.

The funding is part of our Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, which is delivering a record $1 billion for more than 4,900 projects across the nation.

Across Australia, we are building and modernising community facilities in partnership with local governments.