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. It is a declared Aboriginal place and significant for a number of reasons including ecological, historical and as public open space.

Members of the local community have worked tirelessly for close to a decade, seeking to protect the area. The Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) was established in December 2000, soon followed by the Sandon Point Community Picket in March 2001. SPATE was rebuilt following an arson attack in 2005. The 24/7 Community Picket structure was destroyed by arson in 2006, transforming into a mobile picket. In the face of such dangerous harassment, the local community nevertheless continues to work to protect and preserve the area

Latest News

New Court Case
Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

Today Dootch Kennedy and Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy commenced proceedings in the Land and Environment Court to defend Aboriginal heritage against Planning and Stockland's approval. Aboriginal heritage is alive and well at Sandon Point and worth fighting for!

There will be a future court hearing and meanwhile will everyone please pitch in to help SPATE in any way you can? We need media publicity, fliers or information leaflets, legal advice, and fundraising for a barrister.

The struggle for Sandon Point continues.

Sandon Views - Notice of Development Approval
Other

Dear Resident,
We would like to inform you that Sandon Point North has been approved for development by the Department of Planning.  Stockland intends to develop an integrated master planned community in this location, whilst maintaining the area's important environmental and Aboriginal heritage.

Sandon foes digging in
Illawarra Mercury

Project approval not the end, vow campaigners
Sandon Point campaigners have vowed to keep fighting development of the former industrial site after the State Government yesterday announced its approval of Stockland's 181 lot residential subdivision.

Gov'ts green light for Sandon Point
Illawarra Mercury

Keneally gives go-ahead for $22m project
Stockland's $22 million residential subdivision at Sandon Point has been approved by the State Government, paving the way for more than 180 houses and 80 apartments to be constructed on the controversial site.

Bid to overturn rezoning decision
Illawarra Mercury

A Sandon Point lobby group has called for a rethink of the State Government's decision to rezone two-thirds of the site for residential development.  
The Save Sandon Point Coalition has accused NSW Premier and former planning minister Kristina Keneally of ignoring the adivce of experts and says the footprint approved for redsidential is more than twice the area recommended for rezoning by the Commission of Inquiry in 2003.

Joint Groups Oppose Rezoning
Sandon Point Community Picket

A meeting today of the joint community groups who have been fighting to
protect Sandon Point from over-development, overwhelmingly declared their
opposition to the State Environmental Planning Policy which rezones Sandon
Point for development.

The meeting is calling for the new Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, to
repeal the SEPP in light of:

• the conflict of interest inherent in the developer’s providing donations

for Aboriginal rights

The Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) and many others in the Illawarra Aboriginal community continue to work towards the protection of Sandon Point

Their actions provide an ongoing expression of the entire area's significance, often in the face of much adversity.

The local community has provided respectful support for SPATE and many others in the local Aboriginal community for several years, seeking to promote respect and recognition.

for the environment

Sandon Point is an ecologically rich area. It is the last green corridor linking the Illawarra Escarpment to the Pacific Ocean.

The confluence of four creeks provides ample habitat for threatened and protected species and an endangered ecological community. It is one of the last refuges on the coastal plain.

Preservation of the area is a great concern amongst the local community, including restoration of past impacts.

for all of us

The Sandon Point area is a rare and singificant area of open space in the north of Wollongong. The opportunities it affords have been enjoyed by the local community and those from afar for a very long time.

Plans have been developed by the local community for the area, including a linked greater-Wollongong foreshores park, under the ordinance of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Parks policy.

People from far and wide continue to flock to Sandon Point to enjoy what it has to offer.