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Build strong relationships for best result in Gwynneville development, housing expert tells locals

Frustrated residents in the Gwynneville/Keiraville area have called on expert advice as they campaign for a detailed masterplan to guide the future development of what will see the creation of a small town close to the university. As reported in The...

Bright spark gets jump-start

A scholarship from a grassroots Illawarra organisation is helping a Yuin man from Shellharbour power up a career in electrics. Hi Neighbour is supporting Brock Amatto in building his career in renewable energy by awarding him the 2025 First Power scholarship.

Tyneesha Williams

Jet ski approval panel said yes, despite ‘considerable community opposition’

The independent panel which last month approved a controversial jet ski business on Lake Illawarra was split, with one of the panel members strongly opposing it. The ‘community’ panel member, Lewis Troman, who was appointed to represent the views of...

Triathlon Worlds countdown begins, and locals’ concerns answered

Organisers of the fast-approaching World Triathlon Championship Finals have responded swiftly to concerns raised by locals living on the cycling route that they weren’t getting enough information about road closures and other disturbances. In one...

Boiling point: Why Helensburgh is ‘horrified’ at pool closure

“The pool is the ‘go to’ for the whole community on a daily basis when the sun is shining. The pool being shut will impact us all,” Helensburgh dad Scott Spiers told the Illawarra Flame

Genevieve Swart

Who knew? Locals question quality of consultation on mine modification

The quality of the state government’s public consultation over Peabody Energy’s plans to extend coal mining in the water catchment has been called into question by readers who’ve told the Illawarra Flame they knew nothing about it. Official notification did not even reach James McCormack, the Wild Magazine editor who exposed the “inky black water” flowing through Camp Gully Creek in 2022

Genevieve Swart

‘Shark Safety Requires Evidence, Not Outdated Nets’

An opinion piece by Wollongong City Councillor Jess Whittaker At this time of year, every year, the debate about outdated shark nets rears its head. And at this time, every year, beachgoers, the broader public and the government grapple with two...

The Illawarra Flame

A standing ovation as multicultural Illawarra thanks and farewells Ken Habak

Tributes flowed all night and there was a standing ovation as our region’s multicultural community said “thank you” to the man who’s guided the sector for the past quarter of a century and is now stepping down. Earlier this year, Ken Habak AM was...

Our Voice Matters: New grassroots campaign launches after heated discussion

There were angry scenes at a community meeting on Wednesday night to launch an “Our Voice Matters” campaign, calling for better communications and engagement about a controversial big housing project at Gwynneville. During an address to the crowd of...

Coal – From Now to Where?

By retired miner Darryl Best The majority of coal produced in Australia is for the export market. This demand has been gradually decreasing, with sales to our five major markets – Japan, China, India, South Korea and Taiwan – all declining by...

Special presentation on pioneering work of Lawrence Hargrave at HARS Aviation Museum

TRACKER AND CARIBOU ACTION FOR SEPT TARMAC DAYS AT HARS AVIATION MUSEUM … …PLUS SPECIAL LAWRENCE HARGRAVE PRESENTATION AND TOUR (Sat 10.30 am) Visitors will be in for a treat as the volunteers at HARS Aviation Museum present their monthly Tarmac...

Heathcote MP honours ‘caring and selfless’ community members with tea at Parliament House

Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart recognised the achievements of a Macquarie Room full of dedicated people at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday afternoon. Before introducing NSW Premier Chris Minns, to hand out the awards, Ms Stuart told her constituents...

Genevieve Swart

Farewelling the famous Dapto Dogs, and remembering the night I won running barefoot

After nearly 90 years, this Thursday night marks the end of an era, as the curtain comes down on the iconic Dapto Dogs. A record crowd of up to 3,000 is expected to pack into Dapto Showground, says the CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW, Steve Griffin...

Sub-branch president ‘devastated’ to report loss of Thirroul memorial soldier’s rifle

The president of Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch, Will Lee, was “absolutely devastated” this morning when he discovered that the wooden soldier’s rifle atop Thirroul’s World War One statue at Woodward Memorial Park had been stolen. “I was down...

Genevieve Swart

Boat owners say they’re sitting ducks for vandals as harbour breakwater disintegrates

Frustrated boat owners at Wollongong’s Belmore Basin are seeking immediate action to repair a “disintegrating” breakwater which is now in a dangerous state of disrepair. The owners say their complaints to Council and local state MP, Paul Scully have...

The man who builds epic walks joins the escarpment trek team

There’s been a significant step in the right direction for proponents of an epic Illawarra escarpment walk that will link the Royal National Park in the north to Cambewarra Mountain in the Shoalhaven to the south. Garry McDougall, the man who in the...

NF1 reports on August’s meeting

Neighbourhood Forum 1 (NF1) meetings are held in the Helensburgh Community Rooms in front of the old Community Centre on the second Wednesday of the month, from Feb to Nov. Next meeting: 10 Sept 2025. All welcome. Helensburgh Pool Closed until...

Community outcry after ‘woeful’ consultation over new Lake Illawarra jet ski business

Since The Illawarra Flame reported last week that Wollongong Council’s independent planning panel had approved the operation of a jet ski hire business on Lake Illawarra, we’ve received numerous complaints and concerns from people who love the lake, live near it, or use it for their recreation.

Who said what in over 200 submissions on coal mining in water catchment

Feedback on a State Significant Development that proposes more coal mining in the catchment is in, with over 200 submissions on Peabody’s plans for Helensburgh’s Metropolitan Mine published on the NSW Planning Portal.

Genevieve Swart

Ruby’s restaurant ‘David and Goliath’ battle is still far from over as a community rallies

Ten days after news broke that the iconic Ruby’s Restaurant at Kembla Heights was being forced to close, the owner says he’s still in limbo nervously hoping for a long-term solution. But Scott Woods says he’s been blown away by the support he’s...

Ex councillor challenges ‘double standards’ after mining in the catchment debate

Former Greens councillor Cath Blakey has challenged Labor’s “double standards” on a proposal that could affect the 8500 people in the 2508 postcode who rely on drinking water from the Woronora Dam. Speaking publicly for one of the first times...

Genevieve Swart

One week on from ‘ugly’ rallies, leaders focus on reasons to feel ‘optimistic and proud’

“We are a nation of migrants and there is no place for hate in our society. Every Australian, whatever their heritage, deserves to feel safe and welcome.“ Those words from Julian Hill, the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, sparked a huge round of applause at Friday night’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra (MCCI).

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