We, as residents of the Northern Illawarra, propose that a Regional Park be created along the foreshores from Thirroul to Kiama. The Illawarra currently has no regional park, and this is a situation which should be rectified by the NSW State Government. The Illawarra Foreshores Regional Parklands would be formed by a string of "pearls" linked by the existing and extended cycleway/walkway.

This Regional Park has the potential to provide open space and recreation for the people of the Illawarra and south-western Sydney, as well as attracting NSW, interstate and international tourists. If fully implemented the concept would provide significant direct and indirect local employment opportunities and economic benefits.

Our proposal includes the extension of the cycleway/walkway to Thirroul village in the north and Kiama in the south, linking the existing community owned parks along the route. An important aspect of this proposal is the purchase by the State Government of the Sandon Point site, which is currently the subject of a development application.

The Sandon Point site is an Aboriginal meeting place known as Kuradji, used for thousands of years by coastal and mountain tribes, who came down the still-existing Escarpment track to the headland between two lagoons.
The Sandon Point site is crucial to the proposal, as it provides for public transport access by railway at Thirroul station, and is at the bottom of Bulli Pass for those arriving by car or bus. The site contains outstanding natural features, Aboriginal and European heritage values, and is highly visible from the Escarpment lookouts. Several cleared areas at the site might be suitable for a visitors centre, interpretive centre, carparking, and bike hire, facilities which would need to be located at the northern entrance to the regional park. The site is linked by the Throsby Track to the Illawarra Escarpment State Recreation Area.

The Sandon Point site is the last remaining coastal open space area in the northern Illawarra. It is the only remaining green link between the ocean and the Escarpment. The wetland contains extensive grasslands and wet swales which are habitat for migratory birds listed under international agreements, flora and fauna species and an ecological community listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The Turpentine forest at the site is listed on the Wollongong City Council heritage register.

Sandon Point - Kuradji is the site that welcomes visitors to the Illawarra.

Justification for the required expenditure of the purchase of the Sandon Point site is outlined below. This proposal provides a vision for the future of the Illawarra, rather than a short-term money making venture such as is proposed in association with the residential development of the site by Stockland Trust Group.