The first issue of The Sandon Point: A Community Bulletin for the Protection of Sandon Point was produced in early 2002 and distributed to some 11,000 homes in May. Distribution of the newsletter coincided with the lead-up to the successful events of the 3-day Valentines Day Blockade (February 12-14). It was also met with a contrasting full-colour brochure produced by Stockland.

The factual hard-hitting content of The Sandon Point exposed many of the non-disclosed actions of Stockland, Wollongong City Council, the New South Wales state government, the federal govenment and numerous government departments to the local community and the wider public. The participation in the Valentine's Day Blockade and community action of the subsequent 4 years to date are testament to both the level of community support for protection of the entire Sandon Point area and the outrage at what continues to transpire.

The Introductory piece is reproduced below:

Overview of the issue
The latest battle in the long-running saga over the future of land located between Thirroul & Bulli, namely Sandon Point & McCauley’s Beach, is far from over. The current dispute is between a Sydney-based property developer, Stockland, and the local community.

The issues are wide-ranging and complex. This bulletin gives an overview of important past and recent events. Keeping it close at hand will enhance your understanding of future developments in the situation. (no pun intended!).

In 2000, Stockland submitted development applications to Wollongong Council for “Stages 1-6” of a new suburb it proposes to develop on the land lying between Thirroul & Bulli. The division of the project into 20 stages so far, disguises the enormity of the proposal. If allowed to proceed, close to 1200 new dwellings would be built (including many on an existing factory site) - equating to an additional 3000 people in the area. The current population of Thirroul is 5400. There are no plans for infrastructure such as roads, shops, car parks, transport, schools, hospitals, police presence, community facilities and sewerage systems to accompany this massive increase in population. We believe Stockland would take its money & run, while the council would make a killing on skyrocketing rates for still no financial input into the area.

Of equal concern to residents is the manner in which this development has been allowed to proceed. We feel troubling decisions have been made at both state and local government levels. There is clear evidence in numerous instances that illegal acts have been occurring, and that government guidelines are not being followed. Even the Land & Environment Court’s verdict was based on flawed evidence.

Under these circumstances, the community’s collective outrage has necessitated our direct intervention to ensure that the proposed development does not proceed unless all existing laws and statutes are enforced and adhered to.

We are certain that if all the necessary research is independently carried out, there will be compelling reasons for a complete rethink of this contentious development proposal.