Woronora Valley Residents Association inc.
--- A community united shall never be defeated ---
Koala on the move at Bangor
KOALA ON THE MOVE!
YOU CAN HELP DRIVE SLOWLY!
Temporary Access across Fire Trails & Reserves Policy ReviEW
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre
SUTHERLAND SHIRE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE has given permission for WORONORA VALLEY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Inc. to place Ian Hill’s submission on our web page.
Along with WVRA Inc.’s own submission and that of John Souvleris from Woronora Heights . The submissions make excellent readings and points. Be aware of the consequences should there be any temporary access granted.
Have your say for the Community, inform yourself and write to SSC and E Ward Councillors.
MBB ( secretary )
Robyn Galvin (President )
Woronora Heights also oppose private tempory access to fire
SUBMISSION FROM WORONORA HEIGHTS
SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM WORONORA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY HAVE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS OPPOSING TEMPORARY ACCESS TO FIRE TRAILS AND RESERVES.
JOHN SOUVLERIS FROM WORONORA HEIGHTS AGREED TO ALLOW WVRA Inc. TO DISPLAY HIS SUBMISSION ON OUR WEB PAGE. Along with our own from WVRA Inc.
Many thanks John from Woronora Heights .
Our communities have joined on many issues previously with positive outcomes when we stand in solidarity .
John's Submission:
To Whom It May Concern
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the Sutherland Council's proposal to review access to our Fire Trails and public Reserves, allowing temporary access for construction purposes.
Fire trails are a vital part of our local environment, specifically designed to protect sensitive ecosystems. They are not intended for heavy vehicles, which could cause significant damage to the landscape and biodiversity of these protected areas. Rather, these trails should serve the community for recreational enjoyment and be available to emergency services during crises.
The Woronora Fire Trail has long been a contentious issue, with many residents of Woronora Heights passionately advocating for its preservation. Allowing construction vehicles temporary access, even for a few hours or days, poses a serious risk to these precious landmarks. And allows others unauthorised access to use the Fire Trail or public Reserve for the use placing an unfair burden on local residents. It sets a concerning precedent that may lead to further demands for access, undermining the very purpose of these Fire Trails and public Reserve.
Additionally, no amount of fees or bonds can guarantee against environmental damage that may result from this activity. The potential impact on our flora and fauna must be carefully considered, as unnecessary vehicle use could disrupt local habitats and wildlife.
I firmly believe that there are far more pressing matters requiring the Council's attention than opening our cherished Fire Trails and public Reserves for commercial use. I urge the Council to reconsider any proposed policy changes that would allow such actions, and instead focus on preserving and nurturing these areas for the benefit and safety of the community and wildlife.
Submission Opposing Peabody Mining from WVRA Inc.
THIS SUBMISSION WAS EMAILED TO :Ministers Murray Watt, Penny Sharpe, Paul Scully .
WORONORA VALLEY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION INC.
ABN: 14 197 032 12 (INC9882362)
Website: www.wvra.com.au
On behalf of the Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc. we oppose the continued mining as per the Submission below .
The Peabody Mine, located beneath the protected Special Area of the Woronora Reservoir catchment, is seeking approval to expand. This expansion is predicted to cause irreversible damage to six endangered swamps.
This same mine has already adversely impacted the Hacking River catchment, discharging coal sludge waste from surface facilities at Helensburgh into a creek that flows into the Hacking River, the main waterway of the Royal National Park.
More than 20,000 people have already signed petitions calling for the foreign-owned Peabody Mining company’s permits to be rescinded.
New research shows over 45% of swamps on the Woronora Plateau are at risk of collapse if undermining continues. These swamps play a vital role in filtering and purifying our water, slowly releasing clean water through natural peat ecosystems, even during dry periods.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has raised “significant concerns” about this proposal. Damage to swamps caused by mining is irreversible, and once impacts are visible, remediation is no longer possible.
If this mine expansion is approved, the original 2009 conditions of consent will apply, allowing Peabody to purchase offsets even if serious and irreversible damage occurs.
No amount of offsets can replace endangered swamps and species.
These swamps purify our drinking water.
WHY PEABODY CANNOT BE TRUSTED
• Lied to the Australian Clean Energy Regulator about emissions
• Sued by its own investors in a $4.6 million class action
• Implicated in falsifying coal quality test results
• Mining-induced subsidence in the Woronora catchment has cracked creek beds, filled with polystyrene grouting
WE DEMAND OUR WATER QUALITY, SAFETY AND THE PRESERVATION OF OUR UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT.
💥💥💥 WE DEMAND YOU TAKE ACTION NOW 💥💥💥
As ministers you have a duty of care to ensure the quality of our water supply, safety of the community and protection of the environment.
On behalf of WVRA Inc.
Robyn Galvin( President )
Marelle Burnum Burnum( Secretary )
Please Take Action to Protect Woronora Dam
This is a gentle reminder to please take action regarding the proposed expansion of Peabody Mining under the Woronora Dam catchment.
If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to:
• Sign the petition
• Write a short submission to the Ministers listed below
Please remember: a written submission carries more weight than a petition signature, however both are extremely important.
### SIGN THE PETITION:
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/boomerangalliance/pages/5858/attachments/original/1763683690/Peabody_petition.pdf
### WRITE TO:
Federal Environment Minister – Murray Watt
minister.watt@dcceew.gov.au
NSW Minister for Planning – Paul Scully
office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au
NSW Minister for the Environment – Penny Sharpe
office@sharpe.minister.nsw.gov.au
Protecting our water quality, environment, and community safety depends on community action.
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards,
Robyn Galvin
President
Marelle Burnum Burnum
Secretary
Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.
CONDOLENCES GEORGIA WALLACE-CRABBE
🕊️🦋🕊️🦋🕊️🦋🕊️🦋🕊️🦋
CONDOLENCES GEORGIA WALLACE-CRABBE
WVRA Inc. Extend there deepest condolences to Georgia Wallace -Crabbe for the loss of her talented Father Chris Wallace -Crabbe.Georgia and Greg are the film makers of ‘THE KOALAS’ which was the film recently shown at our local venue Woronora RSL and Citizens Club.The koala event was hosted by WVRA Inc. with Georgia and Greg contributing to the event being such a success.Their Film raised awareness about koala protection in Woronora which is now a Koala declared area.
We share the sadness for the recent loss of your Father and earlier this year your Mother.May your grief and pain be eased by knowing that our Association sends their thoughts of care and support.
With Respect WVRA Inc. Marelle BB ( Secretary )Robyn Galvin (President)
Petition to STOP Peabody Mining Under Woronora Dam
💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
URGENT MATTER SYDNEY’S WATER CATCHMENT WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW
SIGN THE PETITION ASAP
The Peabody mine underneath the protected 'Special Area' of the Woronora Reservoir catchment is currently seeking to expand. This expansion is predicted to cause irreversible damage to six swamps. This same mine has already adversely impacted the Hacking River catchment, discharging coal sludge waste from their surface facilities at Helensburgh into a creek that leads to the Hacking River, the main waterway in the Royal National Park.
Over 20,000 people have signed petitions calling for the Foreign Peabody Mining company’s permits to be rescinded!
New research has found that over 45% of swamps at the Woronora Plateau are at risk of collapse if undermining there continues. Swamps play a vital role filtering the water in the catchment, slowly releasing and purifying it through natural peat ecosystems, even when other parts of the catchment become dry. “Significant concerns” about this modification have been raised by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Damage to swamps from mining is irreversible, and by the time impacts are apparent remediation is no longer possible. If this mine expansion is approved, the original conditions of consent from 2009 will apply. This means Peabody will be allowed to purchase offsets even if the company causes serious and irreversible damage.
NO amount of offsets can replace endangered and delicate swamps and species.And these endangered swamps purify our water !
PEABODY CANNOT BE TRUSTED
The company lied to the Australian Clean Energy Regulator about its emissions and was sued by its own investors for lying in a class action lawsuit, which was settled for the amount of $4.6million.
They were also implicated in a coal quality scandal where it was found they falsified test results .
Mining induced subsidence in WORONORA RESERVOIR CATCHMENT causes the creek beds to CRACK and the company fills with polystyrene grouting. See photos below : DEMAND YOUR WATER QUALITY, YOUR SAFETY AND THE PRESERVATION OF OUR UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT TAKE ACTION NOW SIGN THE PETITION https://assets.nationbuilder.com/boomerangalliance/pages/5858/attachments/original/1763683690/Peabody_petition.pdf
WRITE to the FOLLOWING MINISTERS:
FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT MINISTER :
Murray Watt
minister.watt@dcceew.gov.au
NSW MINISTER FOR PLANNING :
Paul Scully
Office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au
NSW MINISTER-FOR ENVIRONMENT:
Penny Sharpe
Office@sharpe.minister.nsw.gov.au
Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday
⭐️🍒⭐️🍒⭐️🍒⭐️🍒
Dear WVRA Inc. Members and wider Community,
As we approach the end of the year, we wanted to take a moment to wish you , your family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a safe, relaxing holiday season.
Your commitment and support is a powerful reminder that together we have truly made positive changes within our Woronora Valley and Shire.
We look forward to your continued care taker role in upholding the care for community and country in 2026 !!!!!!
Thank-you for making a difference
🍃🐨🎄🍃🐨🍃🐨🎄
WVRA Inc. Committee :
Robyn Galvin
Marelle B Burnum
Kevin McKintosh
Jodie Crossley
Rhonda Danylanko
Chantel Barker
Koala Protection on Heathcote Road - Deadmans Creek
SUCCESS KOALA PROTECTION ALONG HEATHCOTE ROAD
Project overview:
Transport for NSW is installing fencing and other protection measures on Heathcote Road to prevent koalas accessing the road where they are susceptible to vehicle strike.
🐨🍃🐨🍃🐨🍃🐨🍃🐨🍃
Thank You to all our members and community for completing the survey regarding Heathcote Road and the extra widening for another lane.
ThankYou to our WVRA Inc. Committee for their submission recommending flashing wild life signs ,fencing and underpasses and retained habitats for koalas and wild life .We were listened to as evidenced in the article below .
THANK-YOU AGAIN MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY FOR THE SUPPORT AND SUCCESS OF OUR KOALA FILM EVENT !!!!🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨
The KOALA FILM EVENT WE HOSTED INCREASED SO MUCH AWARENESS AROUND KOALAS AND OUR CARE FOR THEM
🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃
https://share.google/gOqSW4DQ82GKiludQ
Marelle BB- Secretary
Robyn Galvin - President
Temporary Access across Fire Trails and Reserves Policy Review
JOIN THE CONVERSATION.
SUTHERLAND SHIRE COUNCIL SURVEY ON THE REVIEW OF FIRE TRAIL ACCESS TAKE THE SURVEY NOW.
CLOSES 10th DECEMBER.
SEE LINK FOR MORE DETAILS.
Condolences
WE WISH TO ADVISE THAT WORONORA VALLEY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION INC. HAVE EXPRESSED OUR SYMPATHY TO CR. CARMELO PESCE AND HIS FAMILY AT THE TRAGIC LOSS OF HIS FATHER. FLOWERS AND CARD HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO SUTHERLAND COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
MARELLE AND ROBYN ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF WORONORA VALLEY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION INC.
Update on Prices Circuit Reserve
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!
Following further Community Input regarding Prices Circuit Reserve, we are pleased to announce the Prices Circuit Reserve will remain as a passive recreation area as passed at the council meeting on the 13/10/25.
WVRA Inc. wishes to acknowledge and thank our Members , Committee and Community for their input over the last 4-5 years to achieve the outcome sort by our Community.
Well done all those who spoke up at meetings, completed survey’s and wrote letters.
WELL DONE COMMUNITY!
Suggested Future Uses for Woronora Hall – Submission for SSC
Woronora River Lifesaving Hall
Thank you for your support and interest in the Woronora Hall following our recent presentation to the Council.
As requested, please find below a list of additional future uses for the hall that our association believes would enhance its value to the local community and support its long-term viability:
Proposed Future Uses for Woronora Hall
1. Community Wellness Programme
- Yoga, tai chi, meditation, and fitness classes for all age groups
- Mental health workshops and wellbeing seminars
2. Youth & Senior Engagement
- After-school programs, tutoring, and arts/crafts for youth
- Morning teas, tech help sessions, and social clubs for seniors
3. Cultural & Arts Events
- Local art exhibitions, live music, and theatre performances
- Multicultural days to celebrate the diversity of the community
4. Educational Workshops & Training
- First aid, CPR, and life-saving courses (especially relevant given the hall’s riverside location)
- Environmental awareness talks, bushfire readiness training, and sustainability initiatives
5. Local Business & Market Support
- Indoor markets for local makers and produce sellers
- Business networking events or pop-up coworking days
6. Emergency Support Hub
- Temporary community coordination point during local emergencies or floods
- Storage and staging area for emergency equipment and supplies
7. Social Events & Private Hire
- Birthday parties, weddings, and other private functions
- Trivia nights, movie nights, and community dinners
8. First Nations Education & Cultural Connection
- Indigenous talks and workshops highlighting the deep history and cultural significance of the area
- Collaboration with local Elders and First Nations groups to acknowledge and share stories connected to the land, including the Middens and riverbank
- Recognition of nearby sites such as Burnum Burnum Sanctuary (named in honour of my late husband), and the planned naming of a parcel of land for Elder Uncle Max Harrison, to acknowledge enduring Indigenous presence and wisdom
- Acknowledgement of Norm Dixon Reserve, named in honour of my father, as another example of meaningful community contribution and connection to place
- Space for ongoing cultural learning, storytelling, and reconciliation activities
9. Royal National Park & Local Heritage Resource Centre
- When open, the hall could serve as a satellite information centre for the Royal National Park
- Display of pamphlets, local bushwalking maps, Indigenous and settler history, and ecological information
- Promotion of safe and respectful engagement with local trails, waterways, and historic sites
Native Plant Education & Environmental Connection
- Bush flower identification walks to explore native flora in its natural environment, with discussion of healing properties and traditional uses
- Workshops on plant identification, bush tucker education, and seasonal native flower displays
- Indigenous-led sessions sharing stories and Dreaming associated with local plants
- Tree and native flower planting events to promote biodiversity, attract pollinators, and support climate resilience
- Community Planting Days to encourage hands-on involvement in revegetation and habitat restoration
- Partnership with the nearby Council nursery to encourage community access to native plants and ecofriendly gardening and courses.
We’re happy to elaborate further or provide supporting documents if needed. Thank you again for your support of Woronora Hall and its future in the community.
Warm regards,
Marelle Burnum Burnum [secretary]
Robyn Galvin [president ]
Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.
Contact Us
Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.
Woronora Life Saving Club, Prince Edward Park, Woronora, New South Wales, 2232, Australia
Copyright © 2024 Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc - All Rights Reserved.
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.