Coal Loader Wharf

Transport is proceeding with plans to make the area safe and retrieve heritage fabric from the wharf. All environmental, heritage and planning approvals have now been received. Work is planned to start later this year to retrieve sections of the wharf for future heritage interpretation.

The Vision Survey Report (PDF, 1.85 MB) is now available to view online. Respondents had a broad range of views on the future use of the wharf with passive recreation and improved access to the waterfront the most popular responses. 

 

The heritage-listed Coal Loader Wharf is located on the Waverton Peninsula. Transport acknowledges the lands of the Cammeraygal people and that modern New South Wales is an overlay on Aboriginal land and that many of the routes we use today follow songlines Aboriginal people have followed for tens of thousands of years.  

There’s a culturally important spring and wallabies and penguins lived on the peninsula within living history. Whales would give birth in the deep waters off the headland.  

We understand the natural rock setting provided shelter and was a place to carry out cultural practices.    

Discover more about the rich cultural history of the Coal Loader Wharf by visiting North Sydney Council’s website.

Transport is exploring options to express the heritage values of the Coal Loader Wharf through heritage interpretation. This will involve the re-imagining of the wharf in a way which integrates heritage, public art and urban design to share the significance of the site and place with the local community and visitors, in interesting, educational and engaging ways.

We will explore a number of options including interpretive signage, public art, reuse of salvaged materials, expressions of Country and creative lighting. 

We are working closely with key stakeholders as we plan for start of work. Retrieval is expected to start later this year and take about six months to complete, pending weather and maritime conditions.

• February 2025 community update (PDF, 292.01 KB)
  
  Contract awarded
• July 2024 community update (PDF, 496.54 KB)
  
  Make safe and retrieval to proceed
• November 2022 community update
  
  The Coal Loader Wharf.
• November 2022 Frequently Asked Questions
  
  Coal Loader Wharf make safe and retrieval work and Vision Survey.

• February 2022 project notification

  Investigation Work from Monday 14 February.

• November 2021 project notification

  Critical safety work at the Balls Head Coal Loader wharf, Waverton.

• March 2024 Vision Survey Report (PDF, 1.85 MB)
  
  Outcomes of engagement activities
• February 2023 Submissions Report (PDF, 1022.96 KB)
  
  Coal Loader Wharf Make Safe and Retrieval Submissions Report
• December 2022 Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

  Coal Loader Wharf make safe and retrieval work.

• Appendix A

  GHD Condition Assessment 2019.

• Appendix A

  TLB Condition Report 2018.

• Appendix A

  TLB Pump house and steel frames 2014.

• Appendix A

  TLB Condition report 2014.

• Appendix B

  Consideration of Section 171 factors.

• Appendix C

  Statutory consultation checklists.

• Appendix D

  Statement of Heritage Impact.

• Appendix E

  Contaminated sites list August 2021.

• Appendix E

  EPBC Act Protected Matters Report.

• Appendix E

  Fisheries NSW.

• Appendix E

  Heritage Items Search.

• Appendix E

  NSW WeedWise.

• Appendix F

  Habitat assessment and biodiversity background searches.

• Appendix G

  Assessment of significance.

• Appendix H

  PACHCI Assessment Result - Balls Head Coal Loader Wharf Make Safe and Retrieval.