Sandon Point development approved

BY CHRISTINA SACCO

WOLLONGONG — On May 3, the Land and Environment Court gave Stocklands
Construction permission to restart its development of Sandon Point. The
development, which had been halted by a court injunction, now looks set
to go ahead.

The proposed development site contains European and Indigenous heritage
sites and wetlands which are home to endangered species and rare migratory
birds.

The large investment company’s development includes a high-rise apartment
building, which will increase the local population by 25%.

In response to the court decision, the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent
Embassy and picketers at the 24-hour on-site “information centre” have
vowed to stop any earth-moving equipment arriving in the area. An extensive
phone-tree system will ensure the local community mobilises as soon as
equipment is sighted by picketers. It is expected that Stocklands will
try and begin construction on May 20.

The picketers also have the support of the South Coast Labour Council.
After the Wollongong council attempted to negotiate moving the picket to
allow work to start, SCLC president Arthur Rorris indicated that the unions
will not let that happen.

The NSW government's recent decision to buy back Ballast Point in Balmain
as parkland has prompted residents in Wollongong's northern suburbs to
ask why the 60 hectares of coastal floodplain at Sandon Point should not
also be public parkland.

Stocklands' easy acquisition of council approval to develop a sensitive
site reeks of corruption. There has been no council-funded research into
the heritage value of the area, despite evidence of such value being presented
by activists to the Land and Environment Court.

From Green Left Weekly, May 15, 2002.

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From GLW issue 492