Education goes underground at Kings Park

• Innovative education centre opens at Kings Park

• New learning programs unveiled, including outdoor 'living classrooms' 

An eco-friendly education centre, outdoor 'living classrooms' and 20 new education programs have been unveiled today as part of Kings Park's new direction in environmental learning.

Launching the facility on World Environment Day, Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the new building, nestled into the earth at Kings Park, would teach budding biologists and conservationists about the unique flora of Western Australia. The launch marked the second phase of the Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park project. 

"This spectacular new building and the living classrooms provide an ideal learning environment," Mr Marmion said.

"The programs have been designed specifically for these facilities and are in line with the new Australian curriculum.  The project also complements the State Government's aim of sustainable environmental conservation and increased public awareness of the remarkable biodiversity of WA.

"By teaching today's children about the value of conservation, Kings Park Education hopes to shape future generations who will better understand, and be well equipped to care for, WA's unique environment.

"Our partnership with Rio Tinto, the Perth Solar City program, Water Corporation and Lotterywest through the Friends of Kings Park has been extraordinarily successful.  Each of these organisations has shown great commitment and forethought in their generous support of the project."

The sustainably-designed building, known as the Kings Park Education Centre, has been built into the side of a hill, with earth mounded over the roof and against exterior concrete walls on one side.  It features a large 15kw solar array that produces solar energy to reduce the building's reliance on conventional electricity and reducing greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions by an estimated 30 tonnes each year.

The outdoor Education Zone, within Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park, provides 'living classrooms' in a bush-styled setting. These include tree logs for seating under shady trees, a jetty in the Water Corporation Wetland and a concrete-lined fire pit facility for Aboriginal story telling. 

      Fact File

• Kings Park attracts about 6 million visitors per year

• Project partners for this project included Rio Tinto, the Water Corporation, the Friends of Kings Park with the support of Lotterywest and the Federal Government's Perth Solar City program

Minister's office - 6552 6800