Nirag/NF3 Feb Meeting Report

Northern Illawarra Resident Action Group (NIRAG) meetings are held at Bulli Community Hall commencing at 7pm on the first Wednesday of February, May, August and November.

NIRAG’s president is John Croker; secretary is Ross Dearden. Contact NIRAG by email: NIRAG@bigpond.com

We are very appreciative that Jo Page, Director Infrastructure and Works at Wollongong City Council, and Cr Richard Martin attended the February meeting. (Cr Cameron Walters who attends regularly was an apology.) Their attendance improves communication with Council and Councillors; all benefit directly from the information exchange. It is an opportunity for real community consultation and feedback.

Some of the key issues discussed at the February 1 meeting included:

Sandon Pt Vegetation Plan of Management

Members are concerned that maintenance is needed in those areas designated 1m vegetation zones to control regrowth on the Sandon Point headland. The meeting has been advised that “Council is not resourced or planning such work, …. unlikely to meet the requirements of the AHIP”. This is not a new concern and NIRAG wrote to Council by letter dated 15/3/2013. Jo Page, Director Infrastructure and Works, agreed to list this concern for future works meetings.

Pioneer Dr to Woonona Beach Cycleway reconstruction

Following representations by NIRAG and meetings with residents, we are awaiting new information from Council’s Project Delivery team on cost alternatives. Alternative designs to be discussed with Councillors favouring low-key actions in the same location.

Lower Escarpment Walking trail

NIRAG / NF3 members voted unanimously to support renewed efforts to legalise a right of way for runners and walkers through approximately 6km of trail connecting the Bulli section of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area to the Mt Kiera section, which is controlled by ‘Wollongong Resources Pty Ltd’ as the ‘Russell Vale Colliery land’.

Sign posting officially prohibits public access and thoroughfare through colliery lands, yet we have been advised that more than 700 trail runners and walkers use it every month. Public access to Broker’s Nose Lookout is also requested.

It is anticipated that Council would be able to overcome the company’s concerns about Public Liability risk.

Sandon Point carpark

The carpark entrance has been line-marked (following a serious bike accident last June), however, additional consistent signage is requested here and all along the coastal cycleway accesses, to improve safety. Signage to ensure vehicles Give Way to pedestrians and cycles on the shared way is recommended.

Sandon Point Cycleway and Point St

A site meeting was held with Jo Page at Sandon Point on Friday, 16th December to discuss and follow up various outstanding local issues.

Complying Development Certificates

Section 134 (5) of the NSW EP&A Regulation requires Private Certifiers in many LGAs to notify neighbours prior to issuing Complying Development Certificates. Private Certifiers in Wollongong LGA are currently not required to give notice to neighbours. Cr Martin advised that this was raised at WCC briefing Monday, January 30 and Council is requested to advise how to add Wollongong to the list in the Regulation and take action to achieve this change.

Developments in Thirroul

A halt to High Risk Development in Thirroul and the northern villages was proposed and supported. In view of the need for access for emergency services along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, the meeting agreed to oppose major development of high-risk facilities, such as hospitals, schools and housing development for seniors/people with disability as these facilities require multiple responses by multiple agencies. Council was requested to support community concerns and to advise how this can be achieved.

Notices:

1. Neighbourhood Forum 3 needs a Convenor; NIRAG is acting as the interim WCC community contact.

2. The next NIRAG/NF3 quarterly meeting, will be on Wednesday May 3, 2023, at 7pm in the Bulli Community Centre Hall.

From now on, NIRAG meeting minutes will be posted on the Flame’s website. Read the February minutes in full here