FAQ

The objective of this shared pathway is to provide the final link of the Woolooware Bay Recreation Path (Stage 1-6) which forms part of the Botany Bay Trail which in turn forms part of the Sydney Metropolitan Strategic Cycle Network and The NSW Coastline Cycleway.  It takes the walker or cyclist around the foreshore of Botany Bay where there are significant heritage and environmental values. 

The project has many benefits to the community, environment and heritage detailed below.

Community:

Pedestrians and cyclists will have improved access along this vital link for a shared path around the foreshore of Woolooware Bay.  A combination of wide concrete paths and raised boardwalks through mangroves and along the foreshore will provide a unique experience for the community.  Multiple viewing decks with seating and bike racks will provide filtered views across to Port Botany.  Interpretive signage will assist to improve community awareness of the site’s history and unique environmental values.

Environment:

Botany Bay wetlands and the sandy shoal around Woolooware Bay are very important habitats for shorebirds.  Over 20 species of shorebirds utilise the area for feeding and roosting.  Many species are migratory and make their annual migration to the northern hemisphere to nest in the Arctic summer flying over 10,000km from Botany Bay to places like Siberia.  Despite being protected by international agreements shorebird numbers are in serious decline in Botany Bay from loss of habitat and disturbance.  The design of the Woolooware Bay Shared Path included protecting shorebird habitat. 

An off-shore artificial sand island will provide safe roosting habitat for a number of species.  The island, designed by UNSW, will be constructed from heavy duty sandbags using sand dredged from nearby waterways.  It is hoped the island will be the first of several around Botany Bay. The Pied Oyster Catcher, a critically endangered non-migratory species is known to roost on the old Woolooware Bay Heritage Oyster Jetty.  Maintenance works will be carried out on the jetty structure to protect the long term habitat of these shorebirds.  It will also be disconnected from land to control predator access. Screening and interpretive signage will be constructed near the jetty to protect the roosting habitat and help educate the public about the plight of shorebirds. 

Environmentally friendly seawalls will be constructed to replace land previously reclaimed for the oyster industry.  Waste and rubbish will also be removed from the site as part of the project.  Coastal Saltmarsh an endangered ecological community that grows behind the mangroves will be replanted among the new seawalls and established at key locations along the foreshore. 

Heritage:

Woolooware Bay is where the Australian oyster farming industry had its beginnings.  The Heritage Oyster Jetty is a fine example of a post war oyster jetty constructed in the mid 1950’s.  It was associated with the early farming and processing of oysters in the bay.  Evidence of the old jetty extends into the bay for over 150m.  The structure is listed as a heritage item on the Sutherland Shire Local Environment Plan 2015.  The jetty is currently in a dilapidated condition.  The maintenance works on this jetty will make sympathetic repairs that conserve the jetty’s heritage value.  Additional interpretive signage will be installed nearby to highlight the history of the oyster industry.

The works will be put out to tender late 2016 and a suitably qualified and experienced contractor will be engaged by Council.

The works are programmed to commence in February 2017 and be completed in June 2017.

The trail provides a recreational network link from Kurnell to Homebush Bay and additionally will allow for a largely uninterrupted high quality continuous foreshore trail from La Perouse, north of Botany Bay to Kurnell in the South.

• Works are to be performed in such a way as to maintain safe vehicular and pedestrian access around the construction site.

• Works are to be undertaken ensuring that Atkinson Road is kept open in a serviceable state using traffic control.

• Disruption to the commercial activities of all businesses adjoining the site is to be minimised.

• Local businesses will be advised of works programme.

There is no disruption to power supplies anticipated.

In the event that a business water service is encountered there might be a slight disruption whilst the service is redirected, any planned disruption will be coordinated with the effected businesses.

Due to the works being bound by shoreline and commercial businesses, there are few parking spaces on site.  Local businesses may experience increased parking along Atkinson Road and nearby streets during the duration of the construction works.

For further information, contact council’s Project Delivery Unit by phone 9710 0333, or email ssc@ssc.nsw.gov.au

"Join the Conversation" is a new approach for Sutherland Shire Council to simply gather feedback to inform decision making and engage with the community. Council's Community Engagement Strategy has been refreshed to encourage a diverse range of residents to participate in its community consultations.  While council will continue to run face to face forums and surveys, it will now offer the opportunity to participate online through "Join the Conversation". Some benefits include: It is a quick, safe and convenient way to have your say on a range of issues and topics. It is a great way to keep up to date with what's happening at council and contribute your opionionon matters affecting your community. You don't have to attend community meetings at a set place and time, you can contribute at a time and place that suits you. You can participate via mobile phone, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. Feedback from the polls and surveys run on the webiste will be regularly reported and considered by councillors to inform their decision making on important issues.  You can also easily use the site to see the progress of engagements and find out about council's final decisions on the issues you responded to.

To register to be involved go to council's website www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au(External link) and click on the "Join the Conversation" logo.  For futher information email jointheconversation@ssc.nsw.gov.au

Your feedback can be submitted through a range of tools available on the site.  These include:

Quick polls are exactly that - a quick snapshot in time to measure the "community pulse" on specific topic or project.

Online surveys help us to gather information, local knowledge, community views and opinions. It's an easy way for you to contribute your ideas and thoughts.

Submission forms enable you to provide your feedback easily and are often used for consultations that have legislative requirements.

Alternatively, you can contact the relevant project officer responsible; their contact details are located within the description section of each unique engagement.

Registering on the "Join the Conversation" website will provide you with a number of benefits:

• You can receive regular newsletters on current and upcoming community engagement activity.
• You can access all engagements published on the website.

It is important to note that you can opt out of this mailing list at any time.

Yes! Your privacy is protected by both Sutherland Shire Council and our online engagement provider - Bang the Table.  Council will only use your email address to contact you with updates and invite you to participate in consultations, if you have chosen to opt in during the registration process.  Your email address will not be distributed to any third party or used for any other purpose. 

You may like to review our privacy policy.

All comments, ideas and suggestions are colated and used by the relevant project officer to inform the development of strategies, programs and activities, or to gain an insight into community views and opinions.

Often, feedback provided online is used in conjunction with other face-to-face consultation activities such as workshops, meetings, open days or surveys.

When each consultation closes, all contributions are compiled into a report, which will be presented to Council when considering the particular matter.  A copy of the report will also be posted on Join the Conversation for reference, removing any identification.

All feedback provided during consultation will be considered, however this does not mean that every suggestion can be taken on board and adopted as proposed.

If you have any questions about content or council's consultation and engagement process, please email jointheconversation@ssc.nsw.gov.au(External link)

If you have a question regarding a specific engagement currently open for consultation, please contact the project officer listed within the description section of the individual engagement activity.