Page sections: Land Grants | Early Residents | Early Industry | Early Transport | Historic Buildings | Environment | Timeline

Windang - History

Windang is an aboriginal word meaning "scene of a fight". Windang is said to have been "founded" by William Turnbull. Turnbull purchased some land in the area in 1920 and erected a two story building called "Wyndang House". In 1926 the Post Office attached to this house was officially named Windang Post Office following a submission from Turnbull to have the name changed from the unofficial Lake Illawarra Post Office. The request was granted on the proviso that "the correct spelling be adopted namely Windang, which is that of the Island and Trigonometrical Station thereon in the vicinity".

Windang Island

The native name for Windang Island was "Kauyanggang" (Kanyangang) which meant "saved by the big bear who pulled the Island into its present position". The Island was called Windang Island as far back as 1848 when it was described in William Henry Wells' Geographical Dictionary as "an island situated at the entrance of Lake Illawarra, in the county of Camden, NSW".

Land grants

Early residents

Early industry

Early transport

Windang - Historic buildings 

Windang Boatshed

The boatshed was built by Ben Howard in 1936. Attached to the shed was a shop and seafood restaurant which Mr Howard and his wife Mary operated. (Neels, 1988; Harrison, 1993)

Windang House

A two storey wooden residence located near the Lake bridge. Originally known as Wyndang House. Built by Mr William Turnbull in 1920 as a family home and guest house. A post office and Hooper's general store were attached. Sold in 1927 as part of subdivision of the land the house remained as a guest house until it was demolished in 1980. (Illawarra Images)

Windang - Environment

In the past Lake Illawarra and surrounds have been degraded by urban and industrial development. Increased runoff into the lake - silt, industrial pollutants and nutrients such as fertilisers and sewage - resulted in the lake losing its natural filters of wetlands and vegetation around its edges. The formation of the Lake Illawarra Authority and the foreshore improvement works undertaken has highlighted the ecological value of the public land around the lake.

Lake Illawarra Authority has the task of reviving and restoring the lake so that it continues to provide an attractive recreational and tourism resource.

The sandy shoals of the entrance channel provide feeding and roosting sites for many wader species. The number and variety of bird species varies considerably with the season. The foreshore area provides suitable habitats for several rodentia species. (Environmental Defender's Office NSW, Weekly bulletin)

Bird life of Lake Illawarra
Pelicans, Black Swan, Tern, Egret, Cormorant, Spoonbill, White faced Heron, Curlew, Teal, Ibis and Duck are the most prolific species of birds found on the Lake. The main source of food for these birds is fish, weed, microbes and worms found in and around the Lake's edge. (Massey, 1991)

Little Tern
This small partly migratory seabird is listed as an Endangered Species on Schedule 1 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act , 1995. A very small colony returns to breed every year on a site at Windang near the Lake inlet. (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service)

Filamentous algae
This is a nutrient found in the Lake which is important in the growth and development of many species of estuarian fish. (Massey, 1991)

Weed in Lake Illawarra
The weed growing on the lake flats provides food for a variety of fish and birds and is vital in the ecological food chain. If the weed beds are touched in anyway the impact would be devastating to the fish and bird life of the Lake. (Massey, 1991)

Fish stocks in Lake Illawarra
Fish stocks can fluctuate from year to year depending on weather conditions. Species of fish caught in the Lake include Luderick (Black fish), Whiting, Bream, Tailor, Jewfish, Yellowtail, Mullet, Dusky Flathead, Mudcrab and School Prawns. (Massey, 1991)

Lake Improvement works near Windang
Entrance improvement works include - construction of an internal rock wall and an external sea wall through the surf to connect with Windang Island; installation of a sand dune extending almost to the island to create a shallow water way as a bird sanctuary and construction of a boat ramp and channel.(Infolink)

Windang - Timeline

Date Event 1796 Landing of Bass and Flinders in the Tom Thumb at the mouth of Lake Illawarra. 1824  Hume report to the Government re possibility of settlement in the area 1885 Plan for overseas harbour out of the Lake to export coal in particular. Plans abandoned when reef is discovered near Windang Island 1919 W. Turnbull settles at the north point entrance to the Lake - known as Belwarra Estate 1920 Provision made at Windang for camping 1920 Windang House built 1926 Sale of  Turnbull's subdivision 1926 Road linking Port Kembla and Shellharbour proposed by Shellharbour Council 1936 32,000 pounds made available to build bridge across the lake 1938 Lake Illawarra bridge officially opened 1939 Large land sale around Windang House to development company 1942 Windang Public School established 1944 Water supply extended across bridge to Lake Illawarra South 1948 Sand removal and dune stabilisation works commence on the northern end of the peninsula 1948 Bridge damaged by Teredo worms 1956 Lake Illawarra Hotel built in Windang 1957 Windang Surf Club established 1969 Wollongong Aerial Patrol operates from Perkins Beach 1966 Construction of Windang Surf Club Clubhouse 1967 Commencement of sand dredging at entrance and stabilisation of drift sands on Windang Peninsula to create parklands 1969 Manmade entrance to Lake Illawarra closes 1976 Concept of a single Lake Illawarra Authority recommended 1977 NSW Govt announces Public Works engineering study of methods to improve lake entrance 1984  Floods 1987 Lake Illawarra Authority Act proclaimed 1988 Bicentennial project completed - Tom Thumb Garden 1988 Windang boat ramp constructed 1989 Unveiling of sculpture at Tom Thumb Garden to commemorate and symbolise the Aboriginal dreamtime story of the whale and the koala and the creation of Windang Island 1989 Federal government funds provided for deep sea boat ramp project 1991 Floods 1994 Windang Beach and Garden playground opens 1994 Windang homes threatened by bushfire 1996 Formation of Lake Illawarra Authority 1996 Windang Peninsula Heritage Park eastablished.  A project to preserve the Illawarra’s Aboriginal heritage and protect native flora and fauna. 1997 Conservation works commence on Windang Island 1997 Under Mabo legislation over 2.5 ha of beachfront strip Crown land on Windang Peninsula reverts to ownership by Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council 1999 Lake entrance improvements commence 2005 Plan for further Lake entrance improvement works goes on public exhibition 2006 Demolition of Windang boatshed.

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