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Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project
Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project
Council has advised that the replacement of the pedestrian bridge will go out to Design and Construct tender in August 2026. The project is expected to start in late 2026.
Now there's something to look forward to!
Barden Ridge Land Clearing - How has it come to this?
Barden Ridge Land Clearing - How has it come to this?
23 June 2026:
The Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel has now refused the Development Application to build a $10m mansion on this site.
So . . . . what's next?
There's still the matter of revegetation / restoration of the site and the pollution of the river caused by years of uncontrolled runoff from the site. Until these are addressed then this shameful saga isn't over.
Gweneth Thomas Wharf Renewal:
Gweneth Thomas Wharf Renewal:
The contract for the Gweneth Thomas Wharf renewal, along with associated foreshore works at Prince Edward Park (adjacent to the community hall), has now been awarded.
While earlier expectations had anticipated commencement sooner, the works require fabrication of specialised components, which is expected to take approximately two months. Construction is now anticipated to commence on site around September 2026.
There will be further communication from Council prior to construction commencing to ensure residents are kept informed and disruption is minimised where possible.
Prince Edward Park Car Park - Update on improvement works:
Prince Edward Park Car Park - Update on improvement works:
Council has confirmed that resurfacing of the car park and new line markings will be undertaken in the 2026/27 financial year.
We shouldn't forget that this work was first outlined in the current Prince Edward Park Masterplan developed in 2012.
We will continue to follow this with interest and look forward to these works being completed.
Prince Edward Park Beach Boardwalk – Stage 2:
Prince Edward Park Beach Boardwalk – Stage 2:
This is welcome news for many.
The Stage 2 works include:
Extension of the existing boardwalk to provide a continuous accessible pathway through the park, including elevated sections in areas affected by root systems and waterlogging
New connecting paths to picnic nodes, incorporating accessible seating and tables
Improvements to the natural watercourse to reduce localised flooding impacts
Enhancements to the seawall to support improved environmental outcomes, including saltmarsh regeneration and aquatic habitat improvement
Additional landscape planting, including saltmarsh species and suitable native vegetation
Council advises that as the project is being delivered under a Design and Construct model, these elements will be further refined during the detailed design phase.
260409 Waterways Open Letter to Council.pdfWhy Rezone our Waterways from W1 (Natural) to W2 (Recreational)?
Why Rezone our Waterways from W1 (Natural) to W2 (Recreational)?
Since 2023 Council was actively working toward the rezoning of Sutherland Shire waterways to permit greater development. During this time there was NO community consultation. The proposal included the Woronora River.
This isn’t the first time that Council attempted to introduce such major changes to our waterways. An attempt in 2013 led to significant public outcry and an Independent Review by the State Government. At that time the community sent a clear message to Council that there was strong opposition to such changes.
So why for the past 3 years did Council renew the push for change, whilst also excluding the community from the decision-making process?
The proposed rezoning was majorly significant and irreversible. Yet as indicated in the Planning Proposal document, the changes ‘will have a minor positive social benefit on the Sutherland LGA’. Such major changes for minor benefit calls into question the purpose and claimed outcomes of the proposal.
Sutherland Shire, including Woronora, owes much of its unique character to its waterways, and any changes affecting those waterways needs to be very carefully managed. At present the environmental monitoring and management of our waterways is lacking and requires improvement. This is not an appropriate time to introduce significant changes which, according to the planning proposal itself, have the potential to remove existing environmental protections.
On 28 April 2026 Council acknowledged the growing community concern and dropped the rezoning plans, instead resolving to progress plans to permit mooring pens in W1 (Natural) zones.
The WRCA is proud to support a campaign coordinated by the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre (SSEC) to protect our waterways.
More information is available on the website of the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre:
https://www.ssec.org.au/our-campaigns/waterways-rezoning-proposal/
This isn't the end of this story, just the beginning of the next chapter.
Our Water, Our Environment, Our Future
Our Water, Our Environment, Our Future
Did you know - Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall coal mining beneath a publicly owned water catchment! (NSW Chief Scientist, 2014)
Right now, both State and Federal Governments are considering whether to let this risky mining not only continue, but expand.
There’s already significant damage to the Woronora water catchment from longwall mining
The response of the US company responsible, Peabody, has so far been to apply polyurethane grouting and plan to expand mining operations
The Woronora Reservoir catchment is a ‘Special Area’ – the public faces fines of up to $44,000 for unauthorised entry. The irony that its us, the public, who aren't allowed into the area in case we cause damage or pollute the water, yet mining - no problem!
What’s at risk?
Subsidence from mining leads to cracks, draining creeks, and drying swamps
Cracks can allow contaminated water (with iron, aluminium, lithium, strontium, barium, titanium, nickel and more) to emerge
Serious, long-term consequences for water quality and local ecosystems
Expert concerns (IESC, Nov 2025):
Ground movements and subsidence will likely impact threatened swamps and ecosystems
Irreversible harm to flora and fauna, including endangered species
Groundwater drawdown
Permanent changes to creek flows, reducing water quality and aquatic habitats
Direct removal of 3.8 ha of pristine native forest
'Given the sensitivity of the protected swamps and the difficulty of reversing potential impacts, the IESC considers that the only effective way to minimise or mitigate potential impacts is to avoid longwall mining beneath all swamps and waterways in this near-pristine catchment of Woronora Reservoir. The proposed Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) cannot protect these significant water resources because impacts are likely to materialise too late to mitigate them.'
What can you do?
The NSW Department of Planning is overseeing the submission process for this proposal and will advise Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt: senator.watt@aph.gov.au
Email Minister Watt to express your concerns and urge him to protect our vital water catchment for future generations.
Remember, once the damage is done, it’s too late to turn back.
Link to The Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC) Report Nov 2025:
Fantastic news! The Woronora River Hall is now open for use!
Fantastic news! The Woronora River Hall is now open for use!
Following a unanimous vote at Council on 15 September 2025 to retain the Hall for public use, the initial remediation work has now been completed.
The Hall has been set up on Council's booking system and can now be booked for use:
Link to book the Woronora River Hall
There are also longer term upgrade plans which will require a temporary closure at a future date, and Council will work closely with users at that time to minimise disruption.
A huge thank you to everyone who turned up, spoke out, signed the petition and contacted Council to let them know how important this Hall is to the community. And a big thank you to Council for listening.
A fantastic outcome for Woronora and Sutherland Shire.
Woronora River Dredging Update:
Woronora River Dredging Update:
You may recall that back in August 2025 it was announced that funding of $500K had been secured from the State Govt for dredging within the Woronora River, with an additional $200K contributed by Council.
The focus of attention was to be the heavily silted riverbed around the commuter wharf.
Further information has been sought on the scope and the timing of the dredging works and Council Officers have advised that:
A review of Environmental Factors (REF), including sediment sampling, is required prior to proceeding
Following completion of the REF, the project will be put to tender, with works likely to commence 2027, outside peak river usage periods
Dredging will focus on the area around Gweneth Thomas wharf, prioritising emergency user access
The final scope will be determined by the REF analysis
Here's a link to the Woronora River Dredging Management Plan 2024:
Whilst the document does contain lots of data, tables and diagrams which is great for the dredging nerds amongst us, it also includes a large amount of very interesting local historical information and is well worth a flick through for that alone.
March 2026: Council has now prioritised 4 areas of the Woronora River for dredging:
Gwyneth Thomas Wharf
Forbes Creek
Deepwater residential wharves
Locations x2 above the pedestrian bridge
It's perhaps fair to say that our precious Woronora River in recent years has not received the care and attention that it deserves. It's also worth remembering that whilst plans and studies may indeed look impressive, it's the subsequent actions that matter.
. . . That Woronora has a notable street naming pattern?
. . . That Woronora has a notable street naming pattern?
Many of our streets have river or water related names.
On the East side of the river there's a collection of streets named after rivers in the UK and Ireland:
Tay Place The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland
Severn Road The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain
Wye Close The River Wye is the 4th longest river in the UK
Mersey St The River Mersey is a UK major river from Liverpool to south of Manchester
Liffey Place The River Liffey is an Irish river that flows through the centre of Dublin
Thames St The River Thames is the longest river in England and flows through London
On the west side of the river there is a collection of streets which are named after Australian rural towns or waterways derived from Aboriginal language words. The Aboriginal language names often include a reference to rivers or water. These include: Manilla Place, Boomi Place Yanko Close and Nundah Place.
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