UPDATE ON GOVT LAND SELL OFF AT WOLLI BLUFF
On 2 April 2025, the NSW state government sold two blocks of vacant land at Wolli Bluff. The blocks were bundled together to attract a developer, and the public was excluded from the auction. WCPS opposes development on these blocks and handed out flyers to bidders as they entered the auction. The blocks sold for $2.93M. This post describes the events leading up to the auction, and what we can expect in terms of possible future development.
Events leading up to the auction
2022-2024: WCPS campaigns for a proposal to “green” Unwin Street in Earlwood. The proposal includes two blocks of land at Wolli Bluff (16-18 Bayview Ave). In a series of meetings over two years, our proposal is apparently supported by the Premier, the local member, Sophie Cotsis, three ministers (Kamper, Sharpe and Haylen) and Canterbury Bankstown Council.
February 2024: Without any warning or consultation, the two blocks at 16-18 Bayview Ave are advertised for auction, bundled as one.
March 2024: Independent Councillor, Barbara Coorey gives notice of a motion to re-zone these two blocks at a meeting of Canterbury Bankstown Council on 29 April 2025. On the day prior to the auction, this motion is included in the contract for sale with a new planning certificate that locates half of the larger block (Lot 2 DP 1237702) in an environmentally sensitive area (Coastal Zone, shown as a hatched area in the diagram above).
2 April 2025: The two blocks at Wolli Bluff are sold for $2.93M at an auction from which the public is excluded. WCPS hands out flyers to bidders alerting them to community opposition to development at Wolli Bluff.
There is a narrow strip of land at the foot of Wolli Bluff zoned National Parks and Nature Reserves (Lot 1 in the diagram above). According to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, there are plans to transfer Lot 1 to the Wolli Creek Regional Park.
WCPS has several concerns and questions about Lot 1, including:
- the removal of trees and bushes
- timing of the transfer to the Regional Park
- Protections of the bluff from any heavy machinery used to clear the adjacent block (Lot 2) for development.
5 April 2025: WCPS put these questions and concerns to the Office of Strategic Lands and received a dismissive reply.
29 April 2025: Independent Councillor Barbara Coorey tabled her motions at a Council meeting. Both were seconded by Greens Councillor, Conroy Blood.
The first motion sought to re-zone 18 Bayview Ave and 16 Bayview Ave from Low Density Residential (R2) to either Public Recreation (RE1) or National Parks and Nature Reserves (C1). This motion was defeated by Labor councillors voting as a block, without any debate.
Councillor Coorey’s second motion calls on the Council to ensure the Department of Planning clearly marks the boundary between Lots 1 and 2 and ensures Lot 1 is protected. This second motion passed unopposed.
What are the implications for future development?
The narrow strip of land zoned C1 (Lot 1) cannot be used for residential development. WCPS will seek to ensure it becomes part of the Wolli Creek Regional Park.
The block at 16 Bayview Ave can be developed with a two-storey building for residential purposes with no environmental constraints.
The block at 18 Bayview Ave can be used for residential development but is currently subject to height restrictions and environmental constraints that require a comprehensive assessment of any development proposal (the developer cannot use a private certifier). WCPS will be pressing Canterbury-Bankstown Council to enforce these restrictions.
Chris Jordens
President, Wolli Creek Preservation Society