Coal River Precinct facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coal River Precinct
Nobbys Head, part of the Coal River Precinct
Location	Nobby's Road, Newcastle, City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1804–1960
Owner	Federal Government; Newcastle City Council; NSW Maritime; NSW Maritime
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Coal River Precinct; Fort Scratchley; Nobby's Head; Convict Lumberyard site; Macquarie Pier; Breakwater; Nobby's Beach
Type	state heritage (complex / group)
Designated	19 December 2003
Reference no.	1674
Type	Historic Landscape
Category	Landscape - Cultural
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The Coal River Precinct is a very important historical area in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It's located along Nobby's Road and was built between 1804 and 1960. This special area includes several key sites. These are Fort Scratchley, Nobby's Head, the old Convict Lumber Yard site, Macquarie Pier, the breakwater, and Nobby's Beach. The precinct was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 December 2003 because of its rich history.

What Happened When? A Timeline

• 1796: People in Sydney first hear about the large amounts of coal at "Coal River."
• 1797: Lieutenant John Shortland and his crew explore Coal River. They confirm that there is a lot of coal there.
• 1801: The potential of the coal reserves is officially recognized. A short-lived coal mining camp is set up.
• 1804: A permanent outpost is established. It's run by convicts and soldiers. Their job is to mine coal, cut timber, and prepare lime. A light beacon and a gun spot are built on the southern headland. Nobbys Island is used to hold prisoners. This is also when Aboriginal people and Europeans first meet here.
• 1814: The settlement grows bigger. This happens because of Governor Macquarie's plans. The Lumberyard is developed. Coal mining moves away from "Colliers' Point." A farming area is started at Paterson's Plains.
• 1816-1822: The convict settlement develops much more quickly.
• 1818: More trade is planned. Work begins on Macquarie Pier. Other tools to help ships navigate are also built. Many new buildings are constructed. These include a hospital, stores, housing, a jail, a church, and windmills.
• 1822: The main penal settlement moves to Port Macquarie. However, some convicts stay behind. They continue to work on public projects. These include building roads, breakwaters, and mining coal.
• 1823: The area starts changing from a military and convict settlement to a regular town. Work on the Pier stops for a while. Old convict-era buildings are slowly replaced.
• 1831: The government stops controlling coal mining. Private companies, like the Australian Agricultural Company, start mining coal.
• 1830s: Work on Macquarie Pier begins again. It is finished in 1846. The foreshore is filled in with sand and ballast. Wharves and other harbor facilities are built. Pilot services and navigation aids continue to be improved.
• 1847: New military barracks are used. The Lumberyard stockade is used for different purposes.
• 1855: The military leaves the barracks. This happens when the last convict workers leave Newcastle.
• 1857: A lighthouse is built on Nobbys Island.

Later, the South Head area is used for military defenses. Newcastle East becomes a busy area. It has railways, warehouses, factories, shops, homes, and places for fun.

What Does the Precinct Look Like?

The Coal River Precinct includes several important sites. They are all located along the amazing coastline of Newcastle Harbour's South Head. These sites include places important to Aboriginal culture. There is also Fort Scratchley and the old Convict Coal Mine Workings. Other coastal defenses built after the convict era are also part of it. Macquarie Pier is another key feature.

The parts of the precinct you can see today are in great condition. They clearly show their historical importance. There might also be important historical evidence hidden underground. More research is needed to fully explore this.

Why is Coal River Precinct Important?

The Coal River Precinct is listed as a heritage site for many reasons. It tells a big story about New South Wales's history.

Aboriginal History and Culture

Aboriginal people have lived in the Coal River area for thousands of years. They were here long before Europeans arrived. Their connection to this land continues today. More study and talks with Aboriginal communities can help us understand the deep cultural meaning of these places. This includes the unique landforms in the precinct.

Australia's Convict Story

Coal River was one of the first places in Australia settled by convicts. Convict transportation helped spread different cultures around the world. It is a global heritage theme. Fort Scratchley and the Convict Lumberyard/Stockade are important nationally.

First Industrial Center

The Coal River Historic Precincts are very important to New South Wales. They show the whole story of how New South Wales's first and most important industrial center grew. This area has the site of Newcastle's first coal mine. It also has the first navigation aids for ships along the coast and on the Hunter River. Plus, it has a series of forts. These forts were built to protect the growing town and its valuable coal. Much of this work was done by convicts.

How Does it Show History?

The Coal River Precinct helps us understand the path of history in New South Wales.

• It shows the long and ongoing history of Aboriginal people living here.
• Its natural resources, especially coal, were Australia's first commercial export. Coal also provided fuel for Sydney. Timber and lime from here helped build Sydney.
• It's important to Australia's cultural history. The story of convicts is a key part of modern Australia's beginnings. Convict labor helped Australia's early economy, as seen in these precincts.
• Coal River was the first settlement for convicts who had committed further offenses. It shows how daily life was organized around work and rules.
• It shows the role of the British military in setting up Australian colonial towns.
• From 1800 to 1821, Coal River was strongly linked to convict transportation and British military control. From 1821 to 1855, it slowly became part of regular society.

Important People and Events

The Coal River Precinct is connected to many important people and events in Australian history.

• It has strong ties to Aboriginal people.
• People like John Platt, a pioneer of modern mining methods, are linked to this place.
• Governors Hunter, King, and Macquarie played big roles here.
• The Castle Hill convict rebellion led to some rebels being sent here.
• Convicts who supported Governor Bligh were also sent to Newcastle.
• Military leaders and administrators helped organize Coal River.
• Sailors and their ships who worked in the harbor are also part of its story.
• During World War II, Fort Scratchley was the only fort in NSW to fire back at an enemy. This event is still remembered by many. This history can be used for education and public interest today.

Creative and Technical Achievements

The precinct shows great creativity and technical skill.

• Some parts of the precinct have unique landforms. Their importance in local Aboriginal traditions needs more study.
• Coal River started resource mining and industry in Australia's main coal export port.
• It was also the first place in Australia to use the "board and pillar" coal mining method in 1801. This shows that Australia was at the forefront of mining technology. It also shows how technology moved around the world. The fact that a convict, John Platt, brought this method here is very important.
• The Coal River Precinct is a beautiful part of the city. Its main sites add a lot to the look of Newcastle and Newcastle East. The mix of the harbor, old buildings, and Signal Hill creates one of the most stunning coastal and maritime views in New South Wales.

Community Connections

The Coal River Precinct has strong ties to the community.

• Aboriginal people have lived here for a very long time. They continue to live in the Newcastle area today.
• Descendants of the early convict workers are proud of their ancestors' contributions to building Newcastle. More research is needed to identify these convict workers.
• Coal River is important as a place where Aboriginal and European people first met in this northern region.
• The key sites in the precinct have always played an important role in the lives of Newcastle residents. They continue to do so today.
• The precinct has great potential for education and recreation. It can teach people about Newcastle's convict and military history. This history can be linked to themes from before and after the settlement.
• Understanding Coal River as one whole area helps connect different parts of its history.

What Can We Learn from It?

The precinct has the potential to give us more information about New South Wales's history.

• Its importance to Aboriginal people needs more study. Its unique landforms likely play a role in local traditional knowledge. Evidence of Aboriginal activities might be found where European development hasn't destroyed it.
• Studying the convict coalmines could show us the skills of Australia's first coal miners.
• Investigating Macquarie's Pier could reveal the technical skills of the convicts who built it.
• Presenting Coal River's story can help us understand how modern Australia began. It also explains the start of settlement in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle's later history.
• Coal River shows what convicts were capable of. They didn't just mine coal. They also quarried stone, cut timber, burned lime, built things, worked in industries, farmed, gardened, and helped with navigation and harbor work. They also found ways to make things work in a new environment.
• More archaeological digs could reveal details about daily life for both convicts and soldiers. This includes convict coal mining, quarrying, and pier building.
• Fort Scratchley is a big part of New South Wales's military history. It was as important as the defenses of Port Jackson. Fort Scratchley is the most complete example of the old defense system. It also shows how military history changed over time.

Rare and Unique Aspects

The Coal River Precinct has rare parts of New South Wales's history.

• It was one of the earliest convict settlements in Australia for prisoners who had committed offenses within the colony.
• Evidence of convict workplaces, like coal mining, pier building, and quarrying, is rare in Australia.
• The role of the British military in setting up colonial society is not often studied. Coal River can help us learn more about this.
• The time when the area changed from military rule to civil administration is very interesting. This transition is rare in Australian settlement history.

Showing Key Characteristics

Coal River and its sites show the main features of a convict settlement run by the military. This was from 1801 to about 1821. It slowly changed between 1821 and 1855. From Lieutenant Menzies' time to Captain Wallis's command, the military played a central role in designing and building Coal River. This was the start of modern Newcastle and Newcastle Harbour.