Woronora Valley Residents Association inc.
--- A community united shall never be defeated ---
Kurnell Development Submission
WVRA Inc. Submission – Strong Opposition to Kurnell Peninsula Development
Dear Sutherland Shire Council and NSW Government,
Please find below a submission from the Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc. (WVRA Inc.) strongly opposing inappropriate large-scale development of the Kurnell Peninsula.
We respectfully ask that the concerns raised regarding environmental protection, wildlife, Aboriginal cultural heritage, bushfire risk, evacuation and RFS capacity, infrastructure, and the long-term public interest be carefully considered.
WVRA Inc. also calls for the immediate investigation of C2 Environmental Conservation and, where appropriate, C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves protection for areas of significant environmental value.
Thank you for considering our submission.
Kind regards,
Marelle Burnum Burnum
Secretary
Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc. (WVRA Inc.)
wvra.com.au
SUBMISSION – KURNELL PENINSULA DEVELOPMENT
WORONORA VALLEY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION INC. (WVRA Inc.)
ABN: 14 194 703 212
wvra.com.au
Protecting Kurnell’s Environment, Wildlife, Aboriginal Heritage and Public Safety
To: Sutherland Shire Council and the NSW Government
Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc. (WVRA Inc.) makes this submission in strong opposition to inappropriate large-scale development of the Kurnell Peninsula and calls for the highest level of environmental, cultural and public protection to be applied to this exceptional landscape.
WVRA Inc. respectfully asks that Council and the NSW Government immediately investigate and pursue the appropriate environmental planning pathway to protect the land, including classification as C2 Environmental Conservation and, where circumstances warrant, C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves, or another permanent conservation mechanism.
The fact that land is privately owned must not be allowed to override the long-term public interest or the protection of irreplaceable environmental and cultural values.
Kurnell is not simply another development site
The Kurnell Peninsula is a place of extraordinary environmental, cultural and historical significance.
Its coastline, wetlands, bushland, intertidal areas and surrounding marine environment support a diversity of native wildlife, including many shorebirds and other species that rely on the peninsula for feeding, nesting, roosting and refuge.
These habitats are increasingly pressured by urban expansion, human disturbance, altered drainage, fire risk, fragmentation and climate-related coastal impacts.
Once these ecological systems are destroyed or fragmented, they cannot simply be recreated elsewhere through landscaping or environmental offsets.
A landscape already heavily disturbed
Large areas of the Kurnell Peninsula have been extensively mined and disturbed over many decades.
WVRA Inc. believes that the appropriate response to this history is rehabilitation, restoration and protection — not an ever-expanding cycle of extraction, intensive development and further environmental pressure.
The community should not be expected to accept increasing development simply because land has previously been disturbed.
Disturbance creates an obligation to repair and restore where possible, rather than a justification for further degradation.
Wildlife and shorebirds must be protected
The peninsula provides habitat and feeding grounds for many shorebirds and other wildlife.
These birds depend upon quiet coastal areas, mudflats, wetlands and adjoining habitats. Development can cause direct habitat loss as well as indirect impacts through noise, lighting, traffic, domestic animals, human activity, altered water flows and increased access.
WVRA Inc. asks that the cumulative impact on wildlife be considered rather than assessing each development component in isolation.
The precautionary principle should apply where there is a real risk of serious or irreversible environmental harm.
Scale and density of development
WVRA Inc. is particularly concerned about proposals involving intensive, high-density development and buildings of a scale that is incompatible with the character and environmental capacity of the peninsula, including the reported prospect of development reaching approximately 30 storeys.
Such a scale would fundamentally alter the landscape and place additional pressure on roads, emergency access, water, sewerage, drainage, waste management, fire response and other infrastructure.
Kurnell should not become a high-density urban precinct at the expense of its environmental and cultural identity.
Fire danger, evacuation and the Rural Fire Service
WVRA Inc. has serious concerns regarding the implications of substantially increasing the population and building density on the Kurnell Peninsula in an area exposed to significant bushfire and coastal environmental risks.
Any major increase in development must be assessed against the capacity of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and other emergency services to protect residents, visitors, wildlife and surrounding natural areas.
Council and the NSW Government must require a rigorous assessment of:
· bushfire risk and changing fire conditions;
· safe evacuation routes and evacuation capacity;
· emergency access for the RFS and other emergency services;
· the ability of emergency services to respond to multiple incidents;
· road capacity during an emergency evacuation;
· the location and density of proposed buildings;
· impacts on existing fire trails and emergency access;
· water supply and firefighting requirements; and
· the consequences for surrounding bushland, wetlands and wildlife habitat.
It would be irresponsible to approve substantial intensification of development without first establishing that emergency services, including the RFS, can safely and effectively respond to the increased risk and population.
Public safety must come before development pressure.
Aboriginal heritage and cultural significance
The Kurnell Peninsula is of profound significance to First Nations people.
Its cultural heritage cannot be treated as an incidental consideration in a development assessment.
Protection must extend beyond individual archaeological sites to the broader cultural landscape and its continuing connection to Country.
Development decisions should therefore be made with genuine respect for Aboriginal cultural knowledge, heritage and the continuing relationship of First Nations communities with Country.
History is not a reason to destroy the future
Kurnell is nationally and internationally recognised for its historical significance, including its association with the arrival of Lieutenant James Cook and the enduring history of the peninsula.
Its historical importance adds to, rather than diminishes, the need to protect the wider landscape.
Private ownership does not remove the public interest
WVRA Inc. recognises that parts of the land are privately owned.
However, private ownership does not mean that development should automatically proceed regardless of environmental consequences.
Planning law exists precisely to balance private interests with the protection of communities, biodiversity, heritage, public safety and the long-term public interest.
Where land contains environmental values of exceptional importance, Council and the NSW Government should have the courage to act now, rather than waiting until those values have been permanently lost.
WVRA Inc. requests that Council and the NSW Government:
1. Immediately review the proposed development footprint and its cumulative environmental, cultural, public safety and infrastructure impacts.
2. Investigate the immediate application of C2 Environmental Conservation zoning to environmentally significant areas of the Kurnell Peninsula.
3. Investigate whether areas of exceptional conservation value should instead be protected through C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves or another permanent conservation mechanism.
4. Ensure that private ownership is not treated as an overriding reason to permit environmentally inappropriate development.
5. Protect shorebird nesting, feeding and roosting habitat and maintain ecological connectivity across the peninsula.
6. Require rigorous assessment of impacts on wetlands, coastal habitats, groundwater, drainage and surrounding marine environments.
7. Give full and genuine consideration to Aboriginal cultural heritage and the broader cultural landscape.
8. Require a comprehensive assessment of bushfire risk, evacuation, RFS capacity, emergency access and emergency-service requirements before any intensification is approved.
9. Assess the cumulative impacts on roads, traffic, water, sewerage, drainage, waste management and other infrastructure.
10. Apply the precautionary principle where development presents a risk of serious or irreversible environmental damage.
11. Prioritise rehabilitation of previously mined and disturbed land rather than further expansion of intensive development.
12. Ensure that any future planning framework is transparent and provides meaningful opportunities for community and First Nations participation.
13. Work towards a long-term conservation outcome for Kurnell that protects the peninsula for future generations.
Conclusion
Kurnell has already given enough.
After decades of mining and disturbance, the answer should not be to take more from this precious landscape.
The remaining natural areas, wildlife habitat, shorebird sites, cultural heritage and coastal systems are assets that belong to the future as much as they belong to the present.
WVRA Inc. calls on Sutherland Shire Council and the NSW Government to act now, while meaningful protection is still possible.
We ask that the Kurnell Peninsula be treated as a place requiring conservation, rehabilitation, public safety and respect — not simply as another opportunity for increasingly intensive development.
It is time to stop taking from Kurnell.
Let Kurnell heal.
Submitted on behalf of
Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc. (WVRA Inc.)
SSEC Members Event - Spring Gully Bush Walk
Dear Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.,
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre invites members and friends to a morning bushwalk at the northern end of the Royal National Park on Saturday 15th August 2026.
The walk will begin at 10.00 a.m. at the entrance to the Royal National Park where Beachcomber Avenue joins the start of the Coast Track at Bundeena.
The intent of the walk is to view Spring Gully and to learn of its attributes and threats. There is an On-Site Land and Environment Court meeting to be held on the following Tuesday 18th August. Following this a short walk to the Balconies to view the ocean and the plants along the way will occur. After this the walk will return to Bundeena.
Attendees are advised to wear long pants as it may prove suitable for movement through some of the vegetation south of the site. Attendees should also have adequate sun and rain protection, at least 600ml of water and food. Please indicate the name or names of attendees and contact phone numbers to secretary@ssec.org.au as soon as is possible before Friday 14h August 2026.
Regards Secretary SSEC
GREEN WEB PROGRAM AND GRANTS
HELP RESTORE THE LAND COVER, PREVENT RUN OFF, KEEP OUR SHIRE BEAUTIFUL AND BALANCED.
🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃
SEE IF YOUR PROPERTY IS ELIGIBLE FOR A RESTORATION GRANT & ADVICE.
CLIMATE COMPENSATION
Dear Climate Environment Aligned Groups and ShireCAN members
I am very worried about increased and extreme weather events impacting the Shire and what that means, as to how we find funds to repair infrastructure, our homes and the environment from a severe bushfire or flooding. I fear my rates and insurance premiums will keep rising and this puts a lot of pressure on our cost of living. This is why a Climate Compensation Fund is so important.
Please join us for an information session to find out more about Communities for Climate Compensation Sutherland Shire.
Real change happens when everyday people/community groups work together and stand up to protect what we have in the Shire. Together we can reach out to many Shire residents and help create change around this important issue and work with Council to support a Climate Compensation Fund motion, that protects ratepayers.
Information Session Details
Date: Tuesday 25th August
Time; 6.30am -8pm.
Online Zoom
What will be Covered
Explaining the Campaign.
An update on Wins & Challenges
Sharing ideas workshop – how individuals/community groups can get behind this campaign
Next steps
This event is coordinated by ShireCAN and delivered by Tipping Point, the Climate Compensation grassroots organisation (presented Garry and Millie).
Please RSVP by Monday 17th August by replying to this email. (the zoom link will be sent closer to the date)
Background:
Shire Climate Action Network and the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre are supporting this campaign, the Climate Compensation Fund Sutherland Shire.
This is a national campaign and a growing movement being driven by over 35 organisations via the Make the Polluters Pay Alliance. Find out more about the Make Polluters Pay Report HERE
The “Polluter Pays” principle is simple – if you make a mess, you should clean it up. Did you know big coal, oil and gas corporations are making billions exporting Australia’s resources, often while paying no tax and pocketing huge government subsidies.
The latest analysis shows that properties in suburbs in the Shire are currently considered at “high risk” of becoming unaffordable or impossible to insure, due to the risk of climate-related damage. Could this be your property/your suburb?
Please join us on the 25th August. If your community group wants to be part of this movement please join us to find out more. I am also speaking at community groups/association meetings.
Thank you.
Discover Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc HOA
Survey from SSEC
Hi WVRA Inc. Committee ,
You may be interested in completing this survey and having your say about the increases in our rates and who should assist in footing some of the bill? Climate compensation.
Wondering if you approve we place this on our WVRA Inc. Web page and invite Gay Curtis to be a guest speaker at our next General meeting. The survey was forwarded to us from SSEC .
Regards MBB & Robyn
Community Amenities
Climate Compensation Fund: Make Big Polluters Pay Their Fair ShareShire Climate Action Network and the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre are supporting a campaign, the Climate Compensation Fund: Make Big Polluters Pay Their Fair Share: Sutherland Shire.
This is a national campaign and a growing movement being driven by over 35 organisations via the Make the Polluters Pay Alliance.
Find out more about the Make Polluters Pay Report HERE
What’s it about in a nutshell?
The “Polluter Pays” principle is simple – if you make a mess, you should clean it up. Communities like the Shire are already paying the price of climate change through higher insurance premiums and increasing environmental recovery bills. Meanwhile, big coal, oil and gas corporations are making billions exporting Australia’s resources, often while paying no tax and pocketing huge government subsidies.
The latest analysis shows that properties in the Shire are currently considered at “high risk” of becoming unaffordable or impossible to insure, due to the risk of climate-related damage.
Suburbs at high risk include:
Woronora: Properties at high risk: 518 / 54.93% properties at high risk
Sylvania Waters: Properties at high risk: 954 / 74.13% properties at high risk
Kurnell: Properties at high risk: 107 / 22.6% properties at high risk
Maianbar: Properties at high risk: 107 / 34.29% properties at high risk
Bonnet Bay: Properties at high risk: 169 / 20.17.9% properties at high risk
Taren Point: Properties at high risk: 461 / 28.4% properties at high risk
Regions/communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate pollution – from floods and bushfires to heatwaves and coastal erosion. Local councils are on the frontline, responsible for roads, drainage, community facilities and emergency response – but right now the costs of disasters are rising faster than council revenue.
A Climate Compensation Fund could help pay for:
Disaster response and preparedness
Insurance relief for disaster-hit communities
Flood-proofed homes
Upgraded community halls and evacuation centres
Shaded streets and cool public spaces
Well-resourced emergency services
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Climate Self Determination Fund
Support for a just transition for workers and their families and much more.
Find out more Campaign FAQs HERE
Latest updates on this Initiative:
In June this year at the Australian Local Government Association conference (ALGA) the City of Sydney initiated a motion in support of the Climate Compensation Fund. It was passed unanimously with no amendments. Sutherland Shire Council did not attend.
There are a number of individuals Councils to pass a motion at their Council Meetings to support a Climate Compensation Fund protecting ratepayers. Councils of all persuasions are supportive of financial sustainability in the face of rising costs and increased weather
events/disasters. Councils that have passed a motion include:
City of Sydney
Golden Plains Shire
Mt Alexander
Bass Coast
Byron Bay
Monash City
Parramatta
Hobart
Tweed Shire
Bayside
What can you do?
Compete the Survey and Sign the Petition HERE
Short on time? You can skip questions and just answer the priority Questions 2, 5, 6 and 8 of the survey. These questions are especially important and will form part of the report to federal government.
Sign the petition HERE
Really short on time? Just sign the petition. This will be delivered to Sutherland Shire Council, who will be encouraged to support this initiative, as part of a successful Compensation Fund to Protect
Ratepayers motion.
Share with others
After you've completed the survey and the petition, please also take a moment to share it with others. Just forward this newsletter.
Want to volunteer and help support this initiative?
Contact info@shirecan.org.au to find out how you can get behind this important movement. Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up to protect
what we have in the Shire. Together we can reach out to many Shire residents and help create change around this important issue.
Eco-habits and wellbeing survey - SSEC
Survey
Hello there friends. We've been contacted by Charlie Fontaine, a lecturer at Macquarie University, who was hoping the wonderful environmental legends in the Sutherland Shire would be able to help her with her research. If you're interested, please find the details below :) Participants are needed for an online study exploring stress-management and digital environments. If you wish to participate you must be: 18 years or older and fluent in English. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes, you will be invited to answer some open-ended questions, and will complete a series of questionnaires regarding behaviour and wellbeing. You will also provide some demographic information (your age in years, and gender). Participation is anonymous; no identifying information will be collected. If you have any questions, please email: charlie.fontaine@mq.edu.au or amy.olsen@students.mq.edu.auIf you would like to participate, please click the link below:https://mqedu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4JfKX5arsWuWHrw
WATER NOT COAL EVENT
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT HOSTED BY: WORONORA VALLEY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Inc.
A Sincere Thank You:
To all those who participated in making this informative afternoon a great success.
In particular our WVRA Inc. Committee for organising and promoting the event.
To the variety of Speakers who provided their time and knowledge along with their slides, short videos, facts and stories. The visuals provided first hand the extent of the destructive damage to our waterways, swamps, National Parks, animals ecosystems and drinking water.
For SSEC providing their projector and the powerful long term history of events surrounding the struggle to halt the damaging mining operations of Peabody.
The Indigenous perspective showed all very clearly that CARING FOR COUNTRY must Happen & the only way forward.
To WORONORA RSL & Citizens Club for allowing the use of the auditorium for the Community Event.
ASSIST BY TAKING ACTION NOW
Our voice matters!
Invitation to Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc. From SSEC
Dear Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.,
Here's an invitation to our next social drinks at Sunday Rd!
Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the last social drinks. Lots of new folks came along to say hi, and together we even earned ourselves a schooner in the trivia!
If you'd like to come along, hang out with local enviro legends and take part in some classic pub trivia, then consider spending your evening with us. This is a monthly event, and a chance to chat and unwind from our usually busy schedules.
Here's the details:
Where: Sunday Road Brewery. 147 Bath Road, Kirrawee
When: Thursday 23rd July, 6pm
Food is available at the venue.
Hope to see you there :)
🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️CONDOLENCES🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️
🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️
🍃 ALLAN GRAHAM 🍃
WVRA Inc. has been advised of the recent passing of Allan Graham who had been a long-time member of our Association.
We offer our condolences to his family and friends.
Robyn Galvin
( President )
Marelle Burnum Burnum
( Secretary )
On Behalf of Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.
INFORMATION AFTERNOON: Water not coal
Sewage overflow Woronora fire trail creek
Attention:
Today Sunday 17/6/26 Norm Dixon Reserve Creek (adjacent to The Woronora Fire Trail ) had a sewage overflow enter the creek from Woronora Heights .
As I went for my jog around 3 pm I witnessed two Sydney water men in gear taking water samples.
They placed a sign on the fire trail( see photo ) and a plastic catcher in the upper creek to stop any contamination.(see photo. )The yellow plastic in creek Amongst the beautiful ferns .
Sydney water men took samples above the plastic catchment and below.
They said it was negative for contamination for both places however they will follow up and will remove the yellow catcher in the creek if the water remains clear.
I had a conversation with the men and they volunteered the information and were very pleasant and helpful .
I asked where the spill originated and they replied it was Woronora Heights close by ,just past the top gate of the Fire Trail.
I asked how it happened
The said tree roots broke the households sewage pipe which then flowed into the storm water which then flows directly into the fire trail creek (which is part of Norm Dixon Reserve)
This of course as we know then flows into Forbes Creek and then the Woronora River.
They said the water was really clean here and showed me the samples .
I replied :
It’s because the Fire Trail is closed to public or private use and opens for emergency situations only.
No cars or bikes allowed and it is also a wild life corridor and also a wild life zone .
Then a trail bike went flying past and I caught him on camera ( no number plate that I could see )
Sydney Water men said they will take the samples of water back for further extensive testing to make sure there is no contamination even though their basic kit was negative.
Regards MBB(Secretary )
Robyn Galvin (President )
WVRA Inc.
ATTENTION WVRA Inc. MEMBERS - Peabody mine
STAND UP FOR OUR WATER AND ENVIRONMENT!
WVRA Inc., who are members of the SSEC stand in solidarity with you to protect the Environment and Sydney Basin drinking water. The IESC are the experts with no monetary interests other than the environment, unlike the Foreign Peabody Mining Company.
WVRA Inc. following our last General Meeting agreed to write to our local and Federal Members.
Update Summary: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18g7WCTkC2/?
In gratitude,
Robyn Galvin ( President )
Marelle Burnum Burnum ( Secretary )
Sydney Basin Koala net work
BECOME ACTIVE BE INVOLVED WITH KOALA PRESERVATION
WVRA Inc. Encourages Members to be involved with SYDNEY BASIN KOALA NETWORK
WVRA Inc. have joined the valuable network and are supporting our koalas where we can.
On behalf of the WVRA Inc. Committee
Robyn Galvin (President )
Marelle Burnum Burnum ( Secretary )
Parking & illegal e-bike riding on and through the grassy area adjacent to the Woronora Tennis Court
Response:
A request has been sent to us on your behalf by Councillor Maroney, Councillor Cowell and Councillor Nikolovski regarding the parking and illegal e-bike riding on and through the grassy area adjacent to the Woronora Tennis Courts.
Given your request relates to a number of matters, we may require assistance from a number of different Council teams. We appreciate your patience while we gather the appropriate information. We will provide a response as soon as possible.
Should you need to contact Council in relation to this matter, please call our Customer Service Team on 02 9710 0333, with your new reference number, RN2026-043223.
Thank you for your patience as we investigate these matters.
Copyright © 2024 Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc - All Rights Reserved.
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