Our community group, the Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG), was initially formed in 1984 as a reaction to proposals to construct 40m high Coal Bins at Sandon Point, Bulli. Since 1988 the group has become a focus for community action primarily for the 61 ha of land east of the railway between Sandon Point, Bulli and Thirroul, and we continue to help achieve better environmental and social outcomes in our local area.

So that NIRAG could continue to represent the northern Illawarra communities, we became incorporated in May 1994 as a legal entity under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984. We continue to support the preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage.

Since 2020 Neighbourhood Forum 3 (the suburbs of Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer) hasn’t had a convenor, and residents of this area are welcome to attend NIRAG quarterly meetings to discuss and contribute to local community issues and concerns.

We are able to be a conduit for community engagement and are fortunate that Council officers and some of our Ward 1 Councillors regularly attend and participate.

NIRAG meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of February, May, August and November. The minutes of our meeting on 1st November are available on the Flame’s website.

For almost 40 years NIRAG has been actively working to improve the local environment and volunteers have won many environmental awards for regeneration and clean up work of the Hewitts Ck / McCauleys Beach area. Throughout the year each Monday morning the NIRAG Hewitts Ck Bushcare Group meets at the Hewitts Creek cycleway bridge to care for the site south of the creek, controlling noxious weeds and revegetating with endemic species.

The next NIRAG quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday, 7th February 2024 at 7pm at the Bulli Community Centre Hall.

All are welcome to share and contribute.

Contact Ross Dearden by email: nirag@bigpond.com