NIRAG Quarterly Meeting MINUTES, 7 pm, Wednesday 14 May 2025 Bulli Community Centre (upstairs meeting room)
Present – John Croker, Tony Horneman, Karl Lavis, Ben Jarvis, Susanna Cavill, Neil Hinds, Cr Richard Martin, Cr Dan Hayes.
Apologies – Ross Dearden, Stephen Young, Cr Jess Whittaker, Cherry Hardaker, Neil Walker, Annette Jones, Margaret Hutchinson, Col McGuinness, Cherry Hardaker, Kerrie Anne Christian, Jill Walker.
Minutes of last meeting: 12 Feb 2025: Moved: Tony Horneman. Seconded: Susanna Cavill Business arising:
1. The passing of Max Ackerman, a NIRAG founder, on 20 March aged 88, was noted with sadness. Notice circulated to members.
2. Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) were on exhibition until 7th May. NIRAG reviewed the Strategic Community Plan 2035 and IDP / Operational Plan 2025 – 2026 and sent in two submissions on 7/5/25 to Council with input from members. A special concern was that the Goals have been reduced to four with “Sustainability” replacing the more recognisable and understandable word “Environment”.
3. Integrated Transport Strategy: We also want to follow up the status of the Integrated Transport Strategy that Council was conducting. Cr. Whittaker confirmed after our February meeting that this ITS is yet to be concluded.
4. Private Certifiers and lack of notification to adjacent residents regarding development applications.
A response has been received from Minister Scully concerning private certifiers and complying development applications. NIRAG's original letter referred to private certifiers and all development applications. Clarification has been requested from the minister's office.
5. Old Bulli Hospital
Parking issue is still being pursued.
Re the New Hospital parking: Bus available to transport people from Bulli Showground to Bulli Hospital. New parking area at Cnr Princess Hwy and Memorial Drive rarely used. NSW Health encouraging staff to use the new car park.
6. Lot 303 (formerly the Ray Hannah land)
This land needs to be recognised by Council as a vital GREEN CORRIDOR and included in the Strategic Plan for acquisition as recommended by the COI in 2003 so the land to becomes public space. NIRAG continues to liaise with Adell Hyslop (CEO ILALC). Draft “Pitch” document has been prepared by John Corker to be part of lobbying campaign with Council, State and Federal authorities. Some details to be finalised with interested parties (ILALC) before “pitch” is circulated.
7. Point St Footpath:
Attempts to obtain information regarding design are on-going. It is a concern that this project does not appear in the draft IDP. Access and safety issues continue to be of concern to children, local residents and people requiring safe access to bus stops to use public transport. Further discussion at the meeting about increasing traffic on Point St due to increasing population cause by duplex constructions. Further increase expected when Anglicare Development and Geraghty St bridge is completed. Cr Martin discussed with Jo Page who advised it is a costly project, likely requiring grant funding. Meeting discussed the suggestion that a footpath could be partly built on the existing roadway, with some narrowing of the existing road. Councillor Martin was going to take this to Council to see if feasible.
8. Cycleway Reconstruction Aragan St, Bulli to Hamilton Rd, Thirroul:
Clarification is being sought from Council regarding whether there will be an upgrade (widening to 4m) or just reconstruction as listed in the draft IDP.
9. LHD/Arthur St Thirroul intersection:
As recorded in the August minutes a follow up from Maryanne Stuart, MP is requested. A roundabout is shown on DCP 2009 (Chapter D12) and this has also been requested by NC3 in the past. Secretary requested Council Traffic Committee support by email sent 26/2/2025.
No response received from local member or Traffic Committee.
10. ATO letter 26 July Self Review for Not for Profit, NFP return Reference: 8012287732728. Response required by 31 March 2025. Completed by Secretary on 24/2/2025.
11. Clean Up Australia – Monday March 3 2025
Members participated on Monday 3rdMarch at 9.30am at Hewitts Ck Cycleway bridge. The Illawarra Flame local magazine published and in-depth article on Ian McKinlay and the Bushcare team in the April edition.
12. Changes to traffic movement in Bulli Township
Concern was raised that the extension of clearways could adversely affect local businesses and that it might be best to delay implementation of the Saturday Clearway until the impacts of the other changes were known. In addition, concern was raised that Movement and Place has been overlooked by TfNSW when reviewing traffic solutions in Bulli and Thirroul. Letter written to Maryanne Stuart and TfNSW about these concerns on 26/2/2025. No response received. Cr Martin advised that TfNSW estimate work may start mid-year 2025.
13. Woonona cycleway
Need for speed humps at crossing of Kurraba Road near Woonona SLSC. No action taken at this point. Cr Martin familiar with the issued.
14. Councillor Ryan Morris (Ward 1) advice received on 10 April that he has joined the Liberal Party.
General Business
1. Wollongong City Council Draft Asset Management Plan 2025-30 on display 7 May until 4 June. At Wollongong City Library, Council Customer Service Centre or online via document library. Comments are invited. TH suggested replacing vandalised Gibson Park toilet complex with ‘automated public toilets’ similar to WCC public toilets at Wilga St Corrimal.
2 Telstra Building (Station St Thirroul)
Telstra commissioned a local street artist - Jack Miller-Hendry - to complete a mural on Telstra Building (Station St Thirroul). This followed numerous complaints to Telstra to clean up the eye sore. ThematterwasescalatedtotheFederalMemberofCunningham,AlisonByrnes. Theresultisan impressive mural. Telstra are so happy with the result that Jack has been commissioned to complete a mural on the Corrimal Telstra Exchange building, Princess Hwy Corrimal.
3. Treasurer’s Report: ICU account 249065342 (General A/c) Current Balance $255.71 (unchanged)
Notices:
1. Neighbourhood Forum 3 needs a Convenor, Since 2020 NIRAG has acted as the interim WCC community contact. Please contact the WCC Engagement Team on 4227 7060.
2. Thirroul Village Committee(TVC) meetings are held at the TRIPS Hall in Railway Pde, Thirroul. The next TVC meeting is 4pm on Sunday 25 May 2025.
3. Our next NIRAG/NF3 quarterly meeting, will be Wednesday 13th August, 2025, at 7pm, Bulli Community Centre.
Meeting concluded at 7.55 pm
