About Sandon Point

Sandon Point comprises 61-hectares of open space between the coastal villages of Thirroul and Bulli in the northern suburbs of Wollongong, on the east coast of NSW, Australia. The area is significant for many different reasons including Aboriginal, environmental, colonial history, and public space values. As such, protection and preservation of the area has forged an active, strong and united community campaign.

Public knowledge of the rich Aboriginal history and ongoing connection to land at Sandon Point has increased dramatically over the last five years through the outreach of the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) and the actions of its members to protect country and culture. The support of groups like the Northern Illawarra Reconciliation and Treaty Group and the Sandon Point Community Picket have helped further SPATEs positive influences.

Alongside the rich Aboriginal history and ongoing connection to land, the Sandon Point area has a strong community history post the arrival of the first Europeans in the area – both tainted and positive. The environmental qualities of the area – and their survival amongst increasing urban sprawl and consolidation – provide another strong reason for the necessary protection of the area. The area is home to internationally protected species, endangered ecological communities, and significant ecological diversity unmatched in the Illawarra region.

The Sandon Point Community Picket was established in March 2001, providing a direct physical and visible presence of the widespread community support for protection of the area and opposition to the proposed residential estate promoted by Stockland. It also provides a space for people to come together, share knowledge, learn from each other, and appreciate the value and beauty of the area.

The Sandon Point Community Picket, alongside the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) – and all their supporters – continues to work against bureaucratic ineptitude on the part of Wollongong City Council, the State and Federal governments, as well as corporate misinformation, manipulation and greed.

Some of the main reasons for us being here are (prepared in 2001)

1. That on 19 February Council OK’d approval for development of Stage 1 (14 the lots off Hill St) to proceed without consideration of the impact on the whole site. We need a full and detailed Master Plan;
2. That the Aboriginal Archaeological and Cultural Heritage has not been fully investigated. The archaeological significance of the 1998 burial site discovery has not been assessed and cultural heritage issues for the whole site have been ignored; “So What!” says the Lord Mayor.
3. That the European Heritage report is not complete – How can approval be given without first getting all the information?;
4. That Council has approved the development of Stage 1 without consideration of the reports that part of the ground is unstable and is identified as “not suitable for development”; in the Local Environment Study (LES);
5. That the known site Contamination has not been removed from the site.
6. That the 14m setback from the Cycleway is too narrow and will impact on the whole Sandon Point precinct. It will destroy the visually connectivity between the important headland and wetland areas.
7. That Council has not ensured that the other major community concerns will be properly addressed. We need community consultation, a review of the Development Control Plan and agreement to a practical Master Plan that addresses all the issues, including:
   • Protection of wetlands with proper set-backs, buffers and management plans in place;
   • Minimising traffic impact on existing streets and providing a workable plan for access into and through the site;
   • Design that incorporates the results of the 1998 and 1999 flood data, and uses Total Catchment Management principles;
   • Stormwater management plans that treat wastes before they enter the creeks and wetlands;
   • Studies that realistically assess the ability of existing infrastructure and the requirements for new or upgraded facilities (look what has happened to Sheargold Park at Cordeaux Heights);
   • The impact of the sewerage overflow from the Tramway Ck pumping station has been ignored; How will development increase the impact of overflows on water quality in the creek and wetlands?;

We are dissatisfied that Council has not listened to our concerns or insisted on the current statutory requirements and best practice environmental methods.

From the recent experience of the destruction of the Heritage embankments at the Kids Bridge (Bulli Public School) we don’t have any confidence that Council will work to get solutions that place a high enough value on our local Heritage.

We do not trust Council or Stocklands not to bulldoze this site and start Stage 1 construction before all our concerns are met.

We want a council that works for us, not for developeres.