07/06/2026
TVC GENERAL MEETING 4 PM, SUNDAY 24th May 2026
Attendees: Ray Smith, Elliot Stein, Meg Wright, Paul Tuckerman, Annette Jones, Susannah Cavill, Stephen Le Bas, Catherine Philps, Christine Hill, Cr Dan Hayes, Cr Jess Whittaker, Kris Carroll, Libby Eagar, Ken Clunas, Neil Walker, Peter Holmes, Lorraine Holmes, Vicki Potter, Darryl Sullivan, Ross Dearden, Sue and George, John Groom, John Robinson, Christine Robinson, Ron Hutchings, Ben Jarvis, Ian McKinlay, Cheryl Akhurst, Peter Button
Apologies: Alison Byrnes MP, Maryanne Stuart MP, John Penhallow, Angela Penhallow, Lynne Parker, Judy Bourke, Mary Ellen Durrance, Glenn Durrance, Cr Richard Martin, Tony Horneman, John Mebberson, Kaye Smith, Stephen Young
1. President’s Report
Reported there were no major items since our last meeting. However, there are a number of items on this quarter’s agenda. Acknowledged and thanked Cr Jess Whittaker and Cr Dan Hayes for their attendance. Noted that Maryanne Stuart MP and Cr Richard Martin were unable to attend.
2. Minutes of General Meeting on 23rd November 2025 – accepted as read
Moved – Christine Hill; Seconded – Elliot Stein
3. Treasurer’s Report
Bank status is:
Previous Bank total: $1635.97
Outgoings: Siteground website fee $57.18
Income: Interest $.03
New Bank balance $$1578.82, Cash $11.70
Grand Total $1590.52
4. Secretary’s Report
Close on 100 emails received since last meeting. A lot were Council’s responses to the issues raised during the Seaside and Arts Festival, plus concerns about the location of the skate park, E-bikes around Thirroul, DAs, Infrastructure Delivery program and graffiti.
The TVC was invited to a couple of meetings in April:
• Road Safety Action Plan Forum
On 1st April Neil Walker and Annette attended the Wollongong Road Safety Action Plan community forum organised by TfNSW at WIN Stadium, representing NIRAG and the TVC respectively. In attendance were representatives from Wollongong and Shellharbour Councils, local community groups (IBUG, 30 km zones, TVC and NIRAG) and community members.
There was lots of discussion about traffic impacts on Thirroul and surrounding suburbs, including decreasing the road speed on side roads, and around schools - 30kms was suggested as happens in the UK - higher speeds on main roads and lower in the side streets; E- bikes and safety for all - cyclists, pedestrians and drivers; need for cycle lanes; need for emergency access through Thirroul; extension of Memorial Drive to the M1 and the need for a better integrated public transportation system. TfNSW will assess the information gathered from this, and other forums throughout NSW before releasing its plan later in the year.
• WCC Neighbourhood Committee Convenors meeting
WCC provided a preview of the draft Delivery Program 2026-2030 and the draft Operational Plan 2026-2027 to Neighbourhood Convenors on 23rd April. In attendance were representatives from the active Neighbourhood Committees, NIRAG, the TVC, plus Council representatives from Corporate Strategy, Infrastructure and Development and Engagement. It was a great opportunity to meet the Convenor’s of the various Neighbourhood Committees, to hear their concerns and what Council has planned for 2026 to 2030.
The General Manager, Greg Doyle, addressed the meeting, explaining some of the challenges and opportunities facing the LGA – funds being a big issue. He said that Council has been advocating and applying for State and Federal Government funding for additional projects to take stress off ratepayers, with some success – e.g. skateparks in Thirroul and Wollongong and the seawall at North Beach.
• Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival
The TVC had a stall at Thirroul Beach on Sunday 29th March, with many engaged locals visiting the stall. A list of suggested improvements was compiled and sent to Council for information and action. A copy of this list, including Council’s response was forwarded to members. Council responded to items in their domain – some they informed have been actioned, while others they state they will take on board. The TVC will monitor these.
• Dogs on Beaches and Parks Policy going to Council Monday 25 May 2026
Councillors will consider the new Policy at its May 25 meeting - copy of this was emailed to members on Monday 18th May. Basically, the Draft Policy has retained the existing green zone on McCauleys Beach, with no further changes for this beach proposed. Council proposed time change to the orange zoned beaches but decided to maintain the current timings: prior to 9am and after 6pm in summer, and prior to 9am and after 4pm in winter.
During this meeting a report will be tabled recommending the tender for the Thirroul Beach Pavilion Café be awarded to NB Kiosk Pty Ltd. NB Kiosk Pty Ltd also won a maximum 15-year tender to operate Diggies and the North Beach Kiosk at North Wollongong Beach.
• Action on Issues arising from the March meeting:
A. A copy of Murray’s analysis of Wollongong Beaches and traffic issues was sent to Maryanne and Ward 1 Councillors
B. Overgrown vegetation on LHD Austinmer – work completed around 25th March. Thanks to Maryanne and Tony for their work on this.
C. Elliot and Annette participated in the media event for the opening of the new amenities block at Thomas Gibson Park on 13th March.
5. Subcommittee reports:
• Graffiti Report
Since the last report 26/02/26, the council register recorded 18 reports around Thirroul. This does not include the numerous tags removed or painted over by residents. Total cost to Council for the period in Thirroul was approx. $5,003.60; for the LGA $97,565.04.
If residents see graffiti vandalism, please report it to Council. Or remove the graffiti with Graffiti Remover spray available from Bunnings. Follow the directions on the bottle. Thanks to TVC members who continue to volunteer to clean or overpaint the graffiti.
Report graffiti crime to:
a. Police on 131 444 or 000 if you see graffiti vandalism in progress.
b. Contact WCC via: Phone on (02) 4227 7111, or by email: [email protected].
• Garden Report
Since Council cleared all the ‘Volunteer’ garden beds all remains tidy. Station Street - no change. Some seedlings are beginning to show.
Jackson Park – Christine planted a set of Little Ruby plants (same as around the library garden) which survived for the festival, but were soon eaten down by the rabbits and removed. Seedlings of wild gladioli showing now.
Railway Parade - plantings are minimal, but what is there remains. It appears that Council
has applied poison from time to time to one particular w**d which previously infested the Railway Street main bed. Someone is tidying the fallen palm fronds - not sure if Council, or one of the volunteers who used to assist.
The planter boxes on the pavement near the Açai shop are flourishing and recently been cleaned up. Noticed that mulch has been placed around the trees in Thirroul Beach Park. A member with horticultural experience explained that this would be to prevent further compaction of the tree roots, as picnickers tend to keep away from the mulch.
• DA Report
Thirroul Plaza
The TVC spoke with the development manager for Thirroul Plaza, Louis Goulimis. He said that nothing is happening with the project at present and contrary to rumours the land has not been on sold. Developers are considering what to do next. Louis will update the TVC as he is updated by the owners in order to resume Design Development. This will involve the community. The Managed carpark continues to see a lot of damage to bollards and boom gates.
DA for 20 Corbett Avenue, Thirroul
Application for a 3-storey dual occupancy in an R2 zone. In addition, the garage doors take up close on 80% of the frontage – should be no more than 50%. Annette lodged an individual submission expressing concerns that approval would set a dangerous precedent.
6. Business on Notice:
• Timetable changes due to Mariyung trains
After many years delay the new Mariyung trains are now operating on the South Coast Line. There are fewer seats on each carriage than the current trains. Hence more carriages are required to carry the same number of passengers - instead or 6 or 8 carriages the trains will eventually have 10 carriages. This means that the Mariyung trains have to terminate at Central, rather than going on to the Eastern Suburbs line because the 10-carriage trains are too long to fit into the underground platforms and turnaround tracks on the Eastern Suburb. This takes commuting back 20 years.
A new timetable is being introduced and will be implemented in October - it normally takes around 4 years to work out a new timetable. Sydney Trains is working on decoupling the suburban and intercity routes. This will impact the South Coast Line. As a result, South Coast trains will no longer stop at Wolli Creek, which Maryanne informed the TVC in November 2025. Members are most concerned about the changing stopping pattern, as it will inconvenience many travelling to the airport. This is a strange development as the new trains have a luggage area. Suggested members should write to Maryanne with their concerns, and that the TVC write to Maryanne outlining concerns raised by members and ask for the reinstatement of the stop at Wolli Creek. A suggestion was made that rather than stopping at Hurstville it maybe better to stop at Sydenham as travellers could join the metro.
ACTION: Members to write to Maryanne with their concerns about the new timetable. The TVC will also write on behalf of the members.
• Disposal of whale carcass
Concerns raised as to how badly this was handled as people were in the water when National Parks and Wildlife towed the carcass past many northern Illawarra beaches without people being informed it was happening. It was reported that several large sharks were attracted by the remains while surfers and divers were still in the water at Bellambi unaware of what was happening. The meeting was informed that Council had been told not to inform anyone that the whale was being moved.
Reported that a review of this occurred on Friday, but no information about the outcome. A conversation has started about offshore disposal, which the State Government is looking at. Question asked why it was necessary to move the carcass as where it was located was isolated.
• Council response to wish list from Seaside and Arts Festival
A spreadsheet showing the actions taken by Council on the different issues raised has been produced and sent to members on 14th May. Action requests have been raised by Council on a number of the items and the TVC will monitor for action on these. We await the pool report and review of sport fields to see what action is to be taken in relation to these. A meeting has been arranged with Council to discuss murals in Thirroul.
• Amy Street land – Lot 303 Amy Street
No news as to what is happening with this land. NIRAG met with the General Manager and Planning Manager of WCC in November 2025 and they were keen to look into this. Informed that this is still happening. It was reported that it is not possible to add this land into the Aboriginal Place at Sandon Point, but it is still important to keep it in public hands. The majority of Lot 303 (about 7ha) is zoned C2, Environmental Conservation. Ongoing management of the C2, Environmental Conservation part of the land is essential as this is a vital green corridor. We await advice from Council.
• Lack of flashing lights near Bulli Public School
Reported that there was an accident here and resulting in the entire sign being knocked over. Concern that this happened around a month ago and is not rectified as yet. Being a school zone, it is a safety issue and, as such TfNSW should have had the sign and lights reinstalled as a matter of urgency.
Since the meeting been informed that ‘Ventia’ has plans to fix the sign/lights - they will re-instate the sign once it has been repaired.
ACTION: Elliot to inform Maryanne Stuart.
• Need for pedestrian crossing between Thirroul and Austinmer
Maryanne Stuart has been approached by many residents about the need for one, or more crossings north of Thirroul shops to ensure safe passage for pedestrians, as well as for motorists. On 16th April Maryanne called a meeting with some TVC Executive members (Ray, Annette, Tony), Ross Dearden and Neil Walker to discuss the issue before meeting with TfNSW. All agreed at least one or two safe (pram) crossings of Lawrence Hargrave Drive (LHD) north of Thirroul shops through to the Austinmer Hill.
A local resident, Elizabeth, addressed the members with an idea of community action to help highlight the issue. She is working to form a local group known as "Highway‑Adjacent Group Helping Westside Access Year‑round" (H.I.G.H.W.A.Y). The proposed campaign will be known as "We Are Cross Because We Can't Cross". The campaign will bring attention to the real, negative issues experienced by residents and visitors trying to cross on foot, or turn right by car, onto LHD, from the western side of the road between Mountain Road Austinmer and King Street, Thirroul.
With permission from Police, it is proposed that a group of residents be shepherd across and back LHD with the assistance of a ‘stop/go’ (often referred to as ‘lollypop people’). This could be conducted in ten-minute intervals with five-minute breaks; to allow for the eventual flow of the traffic again. The action could be for the duration of one hour. This action will be strategically placed to impact traffic flow and provide a good position for media coverage, e.g. just north of the junction of Arthur Street and LHD.
No time or date has been set as yet and Elizabeth will communicate with NIRAG and the TVC about this proposed action.
ACTION: Elizabeth to keep in contact with the TVC and NIRAG about the proposed action.
• Progress of Grand Pacific Walk
The Grand Pacific Walk project is funded in partnership between WCC and the NSW Government through TfNSW. It is being done in a number of stages with work in front of Austinmer Beach currently in progress. From here it will progress to Little Austi and Coledale, which are more complex. To find out more head to: https://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/works-and-projects/ongoing-projects/grand-pacific-walk.
• TVC submission to Council re the Draft Infrastructure Delivery Program
TVC lodged a number of suggestions:
• Beach improvement – lighting, promenade improvement
• Footbridge across Flannagan’s Creek near Thirroul Beach
• Borders around garden beds near the railway line in Station Street Thirroul
• Relocation of Amy monument
• Upgrade of commuter car park on LHD (really a TfNSW issue)
• Car parking on King Street
• Pedestrian footpath on Virginia Terrace as close to school.
• Reason for closure of change room/toilets at Thirroul Beach?
Suggested that the TVC lodge a customer request with Council and cc Cr Hayes into this.
ACTION: TVC to submit a request to Council and cc. Cr Hayes.
• Changes to gas installation in new apartments
Meeting informed that WCC has decided to no longer approve gas connections in Wollongong CBD apartments.
• Rabbit control
People may find them cute but rabbits are now in plague proportions across the northern suburbs. They dig burrows, and these can undermine house foundations. Concern raised about insurance coverage. Is it possible for Council to communicate the need of owners to inspect house foundations?
Council used to bait/ poison the rabbits, not sure what is happening now. Understand that biological cure is more than 10 years away.
• Reported expansion of Neuron e-scooter hire to the northern suburbs
There was an article in the Illawarra Flame by Jeremy Lasek indicating that with ‘Neuron’s’ successful trial in Wollongong that they hope to increase its footprint to Wollongong’s northern suburbs. Not sure what this means. Councillors will check with staff about this and let the TVC know as to what happening.
ACTION: Councillors will check with staff about this and report back.
7. Other Business
• Cr Hayes spoke about the value of the ‘Snap, Send, Solve’ app. ‘Snap, Send, Solve’ is a free mobile and web app that lets people easily report community and infrastructure issues to the relevant local authorities. He recently used this reporting system and had a problem that had been raised with him fixed in a short space of time. Members should consider using this rather than emailing Council with an identified problem.
• Issue raised about positioning of large flashing mobile traffic signs - often located where residents cannot see on-coming traffic, making turning difficult. Have to keep reporting the problem to TfNSW who move the large signs after 3 days.
8. Meeting closed at 5.35pm.
Next TVC meeting Sunday 30th August 2026 at 4pm – it will be the AGM.
Please Note: This is a change of date from what was previously advised (23rd August).
