Last year in August our community group, the Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) celebrated 40 years since forming in 1984 as a reaction to proposals to construct 40m high Coal Bins at Sandon Point, Bulli. Since 1988 the group became a focus for community action primarily for the 61ha of land east of the railway between Sandon Point, Bulli and Thirroul, and we continue to work for better environmental and social outcomes, the preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage.
Aim to create 'green corridor'
Recently we have renewed efforts to advocate and work with government and the Local Aboriginal Land Council to incorporate the 7ha of C2 (Environmental Conservation) land, marked in dark green on the plan above (Lot 303, a huge area of land at Sandon Point between the McCauley Beach Estate and the northern cycleway, and from the Sydney Water pumping station to Hewitts Creek), in public ownership. This would link the Sandon Point Aboriginal Place on the coast with the green corridors along Woodlands and Hewitt creeks and achieve the long-term environmental aim of a green corridor from the beach to the escarpment.
We are aiming to get State government and Council support to take this opportunity to make this a community asset and long-term environmental resource. In the future it will become more and more important as more tourists and residents from western Sydney come to our coastal areas.
We need support for innovative ways to keep the C2 zoned part – nearly 70,000m2 accessible to the public as a natural reserve and green corridor.
Conduit for engagement
Since 2020, Neighbourhood Forum 3 (the suburbs of Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer) has needed a convenor, and residents of this area are welcome to attend NIRAG quarterly meetings to contribute to local community issues and concerns. We are a conduit for community engagement and are fortunate that Council officers and Ward 1 Councillors regularly attend and participate.
NIRAG meets quarterly on the second Wednesday of February, May, August and November. The minutes of the last meeting 13th November are available on the “Flame” website.
Hewitts Creek Bushcare Group
Our 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. New members welcome.
The next NIRAG quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday, 12th February 2025 at 7pm at the Bulli Community Centre Hall. All are welcome to share and contribute.
Contact Ross Dearden by email: nirag@bigpond.com
