The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) was formed in 1984 to support preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage. Since 2020, in the role of Wollongong Council’s Neighbourhood Forum 3 (Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer), all residents have been welcome to attend NIRAG quarterly meetings to discuss and contribute to local community issues and concerns.
6-10 Southview St, Bulli
Homes NSW has a proposal at 6 – 10 Southview St, Bulli to replace three existing homes with 16 units, three storeys high, even though this is a R2 zoned area with a two-storey limit. Maryanne Stuart, the Member for Heathcote, attended our last NIRAG meeting and has shown a willingness to understand residents’ concerns. A pause in the process is requested, with genuine consultation to achieve a constructive solution to ensure that the development complies with the intent of new State Government policies. This site is outside the 800m distance from essential services as required by the Mid-Rise Housing Policy. A high block of units will be incompatible and out of character with the R2 zoning. A large public meeting was held on Sunday, 31 August and Maryanne met the Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson, on 11 September to suggest reducing the height to two storeys. You can join the community Facebook group Sensible Development in The Suburbs for updates and to give support.
Update: Since this article was published in October's print magazine, there has been some unexpected good news for the community members who opposed this proposal. Read more here.
Amy Street Thirroul, DA 2025/374
A DA for a three-storey dwelling on a small part of Lot 303 zoned R2 was on exhibition until 17 June and was to be determined by the Wollongong Local Planning Committee, on 26 August, but has been postponed. The majority of the lot forms a Green Corridor of C2, Environmental Conservation land (about 7ha) between Hewitts Creek and Woodlands Creek, Bulli. NIRAG is concerned for the potential loss of public accesses to the beach, and ongoing management of the C2, Environmental Conservation part of the land.
NIRAG believes that the C2 area needs to be identified in the Wollongong Community Strategic Plan and brought into public ownership. This land is a vital Green Corridor (similar to the Keira and Kembla Green Corridors). It should become public land. To date, Council is against identifying the land in the strategic plan as a green corridor although it acknowledged community support for public ownership. Support from Council, State and Federal authorities has been requested and we are waiting to have a meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe. Maryanne Stuart MP is following up a suggestion that rezoning part of the land as C4 (Environmental Living) could be a way to move forward.
Roadworks at Station St and Park Road, Bulli
Roadworks have commenced in readiness for changes to parking, right-turn bans and traffic light reconstruction. A permanent 30km/h speed limit will be introduced on Park Road, Station, Railway and Bank streets and Veigals Lane. During work, single lane closures and a reduced speed of 40 km/h will be in place on the highway.
Next meeting in November
The next NIRAG quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 7pm at the Bulli Community Centre upstairs.
All are welcome to share and contribute.
Contact Ross Dearden, Hon Secretary, by email: nirag@bigpond.com
