Theandon ointVolume1, Issue 1 SA Community Bulletin for the ProtectionP of Sandon Point THE LOCAL COMMUNITY A genuinely eclectic mix of local identities, surfers, coal miners, steel workers, retirees, Overview of the Issue professionals, students, families, the employed The latest battle in the long-running systems to accompany this massive increase and unemployed, locals and blow-ins. Over saga over the future of land located in population. We believe Stockland would the years, they have galvanized into an between Thirroul & Bulli, namely take its money & run, while the council unusually cohesive and culturally-enriching Sandon Point & McCauley’s Beach, is would make a killing on skyrocketing rates group. The strength of their commitment has far from over. The current dispute is for still no financial input into the area. resulted in a 24- hour on-site picket & information centre which has been operating between a Sydney-based property developer, for one year. The community’s Valentine’s Day Stockland, and the local community. Of equal concern to residents is the manner blockade of earthmoving and construction The issues are wide-ranging and complex. in which this development has been allowed equipment being brought on site (before a court This bulletin gives an overview of important to proceed. We feel troubling decisions have hearing had finished), took place in front of 60 past and recent events. Keeping it close at been made at both state and local police, and security guards who toted guns and hand will enhance your understanding of government levels. There is clear evidence dogs. This display of their resolve demonstrates future developments in numerous the depth of their fury at the manner in which in the situation. (no instances that illegal this development proposal has been managed pun intended!). acts have been from the outset. occurring, and that In 2000, Stockland g o v e r n m e n t SANDON POINT ABORIGINAL TENT s u b m i t t e d guidelines are not EMBASSY (SPATE) At Mc Cauley’s beach, the Embassy is staffed 24 d e v e l o p m e n t being followed. Even hours a day, and has been in existence for over applications to the Land & a year. Here, indigenous people have come at Wollongong Council Environment Court’s the request of the most senior law man in NSW, for “Stages 1-6” of a verdict was based on 94-year old elder Uncle Guboo Ted Thomas. new suburb it flawed evidence. Their role is to keep watch over the land- in proposes to develop Under these particular, a known sacred burial site. Roy on the land lying circumstances, the (Dootch) Kennedy is the main spokesperson between Thirroul & community’s collective for SPATE. Bulli. The division of outrage has the project into 20 stages so far, disguises necessitated our direct intervention to STOCKLAND, THE DEVELOPER the enormity of the proposal. If allowed to ensure that the proposed development does Stockland Constructors Pty Ltd is part of a multi- billion dollar investment company specialising proceed, close to 1200 new dwellings would not proceed unless all existing laws and in commercial, retail and residential real estate be built (including many on an existing statutes are enforced and adhered to. developments. factory site) - equating to an additional 3000 Nick Greiner, a former NSW premier, is vice people in the area. The current population We are certain that if all the necessary president on Stockland’s board of directors. of Thirroul is 5400. There are no plans research is independently carried out, there He famously resigned as Premier as a result for infrastructure such as roads, shops, car will be compelling reasons for a complete of an inquiry by his very own Independent parks, transport, schools, hospitals, police rethink of this contentious development Commission Against Corruption. After leaving presence, community facilities and sewerage proposal. politics, he accepted a position on the board of a giant multi-national tobacco corporation- affected and as such, is undevelopable. As of May SOUTH COAST LABOUR COUNCIL perhaps a little ironic given his heavy personal ‘02, the status of Ray Hannah’s land remains (SCLC) involvement in the ground- breaking Quit unresolved. The area’s governing union body placed a black Smoking campaign. - No doubt his experience ban on the Stockland site in March last year. comes in handy in such a political stoush. THE SKELETONS SCLC leaders, Arthur Rorris & Peter Wilson Stockland employee, Nick Duncan, in charge A fully intact, ceremonial grave of great cultural also acted as go-betweens during the recent of the Sandon Point development project, is significance was archaeologically exhumed community blockade of the site. This indicates assisted by Paul Hedge. following its discovery in the McCauley’s Beach clear union acknowledgement of the importance dunes, after a big storm in March, 1998. It of the site. WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL (till contained a perfectly undisturbed skeleton, recently, ruled by the Labor Party) surrounded by ceremonial and sacred objects. NSW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS * Historically of dubious repute, the council was This man was a Kuradji (‘Clever fella’), buried The following state authorities are involved in taken to the Land & Environment Court by around 6000 years ago. granting permission for development of the site: Stockland for not approving their development Another skull was discovered 30 years earlier National Parks & Wildlife (NPWS), Dept of Land within a set time limit. by, amazingly, the same sharp-eyed residents & Water Conservation (DLWC)Dept. of Urban The council is headed by mayor George who spotted the Kuradji’s grave. Affairs & Planning (DUAP)- now called Planning Harrison, who, in 1999, was declared by Justice There is local knowledge of up to 8 more skeletons NSW. Einfeld of the Supreme Court in a separate having been dug up during the installation of Despite years of recommendations that have matter to be ‘unconscionable and willing to lie sewerage pipes in the 1970s. The trail of their been consistent in their content, these under oath’. whereabouts has, for the moment, gone cold. departments are suddenly changing their advice The council is also in dispute with Ray Hannah, regarding Sandon Point. This, coupled with a multi-million-dollar purchaser of additional OTHER INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN THE the unwillingness to prosecute Stockland over land at Sandon Point. (His land was previously AREA laws they have already breached on site, places owned by ex-mayor, Frank Arkell.) Hannah Five major and four minor groups lay claim to question marks over their ability to oversee any claims that Council revoked the zoning approval having sacred and enduring cultural links to proposed development. for a caravan park and housing estate that they the site. These groups do not always see eye- “guaranteed” him at purchase. This particular to-eye due to familial ties and other political THE STATE GOVERNMENT (LABOR) * part of the Sandon Point site was subsequently differences. This government subscribes to a policy of urban A FORM acknowledgedGUIDE TO THE PLAYERS to be regularly flood and sea- consolidation. This policy is arguably driven www.sandon-point.org.au * as stated in Parliament by Ian Cohen, MLC A Tragedy of Errors a report of information stated in Parliament by Ian Cohen, MLC SELECTED COUNCIL COCK-UPS “Before the Sandon Point development plan had even gone on public exhibition, Council emerged to allow an existing road to be used for residential access, Wollongong Council general manager, Rod Oxley, stated with supreme with great savings for Stockland. confidence in The Illawarra Mercury, that the entire development was a Unfortunately, this was just one of 19 out of 21 Council requirements ‘fait accompli’ (done deal). dealt with in this manner during the case - all ‘resolved’ to Stockland’s Following its exhibition, numerous studies- eg Flora & Fauna, European advantage.”* heritage, Aboriginal heritage have been ordered by council, but not implemented by the administration. When questioned over the lack of WATERY DEALINGS action, staff reply with words to the effect of ‘My manager told me not to do “Stockland states that its decision to purchase the land for Stages 1-6 hung it.’ on a verbal agreement in 1999 from DLWC which allowed Stockland to In early 2001, National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) wrote a detailed letter to develop as close as 5m to Tramway Creek.”* (Surveyor’s pegs showed Council containing vital information regarding the preservation of flora, fauna Stockland’s original plan was to fill and develop into the creek!) “Stockland & Aboriginal heritage at Sandon Point. This letter was intended to be seen requested an on-site meeting when the designated DLWC officer was on by councillors before they voted on Stage 1. Council officers withheld this leave, and obtained permission from a relieving officer for a reduction of the important letter, which prevented its contents from influencing the creek buffer zone from the usual requirement of 40 m to just 5m. DLWC, vote.”* Stockland’s own consultant, and the Escarpment Commission of Inquiry (resulting from the disastrous storm flooding of August 1998), THE LAND & DEVELOPERS COURT all recommend a 40m setback./ buffer zone on both sides of the creek Wollongong Council would have you believe that residents’ complaints were the as standard practice. Why has Stockland been given special treatment?”* cause for the Land & Environment Court case (‘a waste of rate-payers’ money’). When DLWC later attempted to amend the ‘5m promise’ to a (still inadequate) In fact, the case went to court because Stockland did not provide requested 20m, Stockland threatened to sue. “Stockland declared that 40m (or even 20m) information to the Dept. of Land & Water Conservation (DLWC), which creek setbacks would have ‘rendered the development financially unviable’.”* prevented Wollongong Council giving the go-ahead.