Sandon Point and McCauley's Beach Plan of Management

Wollongong City Council is seeking the community’s help in preparing a plan of management (POM) for community land at Sandon Point and McCauley’s Beach - as shown in the picture to the right and is shaded light blue. If you would like to see the map in more detail there's a link to a map, here, and at the bottom of this page.

The PoM does not include any privately owned land; it only includes land owned by Council and classified as community under the Local Government Act 1993.  

We look forward to talking with community members about the community land at Sandon Point and McCauley’s Beach before a draft document is developed.  We want to know why community members value the area and how best to manage its use in a way that acknowledges those values.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Plan of Management?

A Plan of Management (PoM) outlines what is permitted on the community land how it is managed in accordance with requirements under the Local Government Act 1993.

What area is covered by the Plan of Management?

The POM area is shown shaded in blue on the map.  The southern boundary of the PoM area is where Slacky Creek meets the ocean, and the northern boundary extends to the foreshore area to the east of Woodland Avenue.  The PoM area includes significant areas of native vegetation as well as beaches and includes the Sandon Point Aboriginal Place as declared by the State Government in February 2007, shown as a hatched area on the map on the first page.  Existing Council structures within the PoM area are the Sandon Point Surf Club which is being redeveloped, the public car park at the end of Point Street, and a well used cycle and pedestrian shared way.  Also within the PoM area is the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy, which is not a Council managed structure.  

How will Council develop the POM?

Council will conduct community consultation before the draft PoM is developed and after it has been drafted.  During November 2011 to February 2012 Council wants to hear from all community members about why they value Sandon Point and McCauley’s Beach and how to manage this area into the future.  The results of the consultation will be used to prepare a draft Plan of Management that will then go out on public exhibition for more public comment. 

Pre-Draft Community Consultation Activities 

A Sandon Point and McCauley’s Beach PoM Area Survey

This survey is aimed at any interested individual or organisation who visits Sandon Point and McCauley’s Beach or is interested in the area and its future. Council wants to hear from you about how you use the area and what makes it special. The survey will be available on line until the end of February 2012 at Council’s website and provides an opportunity for persons and groups to provide contact details so when a draft PoM is developed those interested parties can be notified of the future exhibition and submission period.   Hard copies of the survey will also be available at the community information drop in session and the on site kiosk.

Community Information Drop In Session on Wednesday 30 November 2011 at the Thirroul Library Hall

Drop in any time from 5–8pm and talk with Council about how the twenty hectares of community land foreshore should be managed. The session is designed for anyone who likes the opportunity to discuss matters face to face with Council staff and other interested community members.

On Site Kiosk on Sunday 4 December 2011 at Sandon Point

Adjacent to car park. Drop by between 11am–3pm.  Designed for Council to capture people’s viewpoints while they are visiting Sandon Point.

Round Table Talks will also be held during the Pre-Draft Consultation Period

Designed for those organisations that have a long time association with the PoM area such as, Aboriginal Groups, the Sandon Point Surf Club, The Sandon Point Board Riders Association, the Sandon Point Bush Care Group, and Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group.  Letters will be sent out to groups about future dates and times.     

Post-Draft Community Consultation Activities

After February 2012, Council will then take all comments, suggestions on what makes the area important into consideration and draft a plan of management document for the public to consider again. 

Subject to a Council resolution authorising its public exhibition, the draft PoM will be exhibited for a minimum of 42 days. All community members and interested parties such as citizens and visitors who provided contact details during the pre-draft consultation will be notified by email or letter about the exhibition period. 

Additionally another on site kiosk will be held and a public hearing chaired by an independent chairperson will be conducted. It is estimated that these post draft consultations may start as soon as April 2012.

When would a Draft PoM be adopted by Council?

After the close of the public exhibition period and the holding of the public hearing, a report would be made to Council outlining all submissions received and issues raised at the public hearing. Councillors will then determine if the draft document is to be adopted or amended and placed back on public exhibition again prior to a final determination. It is estimated that a PoM may be adopted by Council by July 2012.

How does the draft PoM impact on general use of area by the public?

The way the public currently uses Sandon Point and McCauley’s Beach will generally stay the same. The PoM describes the existing uses and provides for their continuation via maintenance and possibly their future improvement or embellishment. 

Uses within the PoM area would only significantly change if pre-draft community consultation indicated there was a need for some land use change. If that were the case the new land use would be included in the draft PoM and Council would then seek further community advice before considering whether or not to adopt the PoM with the new use.       

How will Council acknowledge the Aboriginal significance of Sandon Point?

Council will be consulting with Aboriginal Groups about how to best acknowledge the significance of the area. The future PoM will also serve as a Sandon Point Aboriginal Place Management Plan in compliance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, which is the legislation that protects Aboriginal Places and Aboriginal Objects.  

How will this Plan of Management affect the Sandon Point Tent Embassy?

The Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy originated when Council was not the owner of the land that it occupies. A significant portion of McCauley’s Beach (where the Tent Embassy is located) was owned by a private developer until December 2010. The land at McCauley’s Beach was part of a residential development first conceived in more than a decade ago known as Sandon Point. The Tent Embassy came into existence as a result of the proposed Sandon Point development. 

In 2011 some areas of the Sandon Point residential development have been completed, other portions are under construction, and some areas are now in Council’s ownership. Council will consult with representatives from The Tent Embassy as part of its consultation process.

Does this Plan of Management include the Keeping Place?

The provision of an Aboriginal Keeping Place is a requirement placed on Stockland, by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and requires an agreement to be reached between these parties (OEH + Stockland) and the five (5) registered Aboriginal Groups listed on the section 90 Consent for the Stockland development. 

As Council is not a legal party to these requirements and no agreement has been reached between these groups about what a “Keeping Place” might involve, look like, or how it might operate; the Keeping Place is not expected to be included in the PoM.  

Despite this, Council will be considering appropriate ways to acknowledge, interpret and conserve the Aboriginal Significance of the area through the Plan of Management and its future permissible uses/development.