Way too big says rally

THREE hundred people blocked the old road into the former brickworks site at Thirroul on Sunday to highlight their concerns with the latest proposal for Sandon Point.

Public anger towards the project is growing as hundreds braved cold and windy conditions to protest the controversial $250 million residential development and aged care facility planned for Sandon Point.

The NSW Department of Planning has received a concept plan from property developer Stockland and Anglican Retirement Village (ARV) for the residential subdivision, aged accommodation and associated infrastructure development, including recreational facilities, medical centre, chapel and caf? for the coastal site between Bulli and Thirroul.

The former AIR refractory site at Thirroul would be transformed with the development of 50 townhouses, 180 detached homes and an 80 unit apartment block under Stockland plans, while ARV, which plan to buy the Cookson Plibrico refractory site at Bulli, would feature 250 independent living units for over 55s and a four-storey aged care home for 250 residents.

The meeting, held on Wrexham Rd, was called by the Sandon Point Picket, Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) and Illawarra Greens.

Guest speakers included Lord Mayor Alex Darling, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, Aboriginal activist Roy Kennedy, Ward 1 councillor Alice Cartan, South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris and National Parks Association's Jill Merrin.

Lord Mayor Alex Darling reiterated his previous statements, telling the gathering the proposal was an overdevelopment of the site and offered his support by representation to NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor.

Mr Sartor will be in Wollongong this week.

The Illawarra Greens estimate the development would add over 2,000 people to Thirroul's population of 5,000.

Spokesperson Jill Merrin said the major demographic change would lead to the fracturing of existing communities and the plans lack community facilities such as medical or hospital beds, halls, playgrounds, sporting fields, or schools.

Minister Sartor gave permission for residential development on the western section of the site in November last year. The Minister's decision came after a Commission of Inquiry and a report by consultant Charles Hill recommended a large portion to the east be protected as a public reserve, with the remainder for residential use.

"This outrageous new proposal goes much further than even consultant Charles Hill recommended, and it exceeds the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry by almost twice the development footprint," Ms Merrin said.

"The local community has no faith in these developers - Stockland has shown its disregard for the environment and heritage of Sandon Point, and now the Anglican Church is also pushing for maximum development on the Cookson Plibrico land, which will destroy native forests, wetlands and Aboriginal heritage," said Ms Merrin.

The meeting called for further time to digest the plans, which the public exhibition period for comment closes today (Thursday August 3).

Details of the proposal can be found online at www.sandonpointplanning.com.au

Resolutions passed at the meeting:

" That Minister for Planning Frank Sartor endorse and implement the recommendations of the 2003 Sandon Point Commission of Inquiry, but in particular, that there be immediate protection for all natural and culturally significant lands that such lands be immediately zoned for environmental protection that further studies be undertaken as called for by the Commissioners of Inquiry, and that Woodlands and Hewitts Creeks be re-instated to their original form and course;

" That there be no loss of public land for private development at Sandon Point;

" That sufficient public space be provided, including sports fields and recreational areas, within any new development at Sandon Point;

" That the land at Sandon Point be declared a Place of Aboriginal Significance, as in the 2001 nomination, and that the land be placed into Aboriginal ownership for lease-back to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for management as a Regional Park;

" That Minister for Planning Frank Sartor be requested to meet with a delegation of people from this meeting while he is in Wollongong on Wednesday August 2;

" Further time to consider the proposal, from one month as given, to at least 3 months.

" Part of the crowd protesting plans for Sandon Point on Sunday.

" Lord Mayor Alex Darling at the meeting.