WEPA was delighted to be asked to address 180 Year 8 students on their Fieldtrip in July, sharing the story of how community action played a central role in stopping the Beaches Link tunnel proposal that would have destroyed much of Flat Rock Gully. WEPA was represented by Kristina Dodds and Heidi Key.

The morning started with Paul Storm from the Willoughby Historical Society who gave an engaging overview of Henry Lawson Cave – who Henry Lawson was and what he would have seen 100 years ago compared to the area now and especially where the students were sitting.

Paul also shared childhood memories of playing near the old tip and helped students imagine how the gully has changed over the past century, including the construction of the box culvert in the 1950s.

We started by acknowledging the Gammeraygal people, who have cared for the land, sea and waters of this area for tens of thousands of years and that it is our duty to continue to care for this precious part of Willoughby.

We then outlined how Flat Rock Gully has been saved not once but twice; first with the closure of the tip in the 1980s and the regeneration work of the 1990s, and again during the Beaches Link tunnel proposal. That project would have cleared six acres of bushland, built massive sheds across the gully and generated 70 truck movements each hour for 5 years as FRG became the primary dive site for tunnel spoil.

Community action by everyday residents and the involvement of schools, conservation and environmental groups, such as Stop the Tunnels and WEPA, resulted in over 1500 submissions, petitions and a parliamentary inquiry, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Beaches Link in 2023. Community action does make a difference. The students were encouraged to reflect on the important role collective action can play through campaigns and to consider getting involved in similar activities in the future, such as bushcare and other volunteering activities.

We concluded by noting that WEPA will celebrate its 45th anniversary next year and remains dedicated to preserving Willoughby’s natural heritage, protecting local bushland and wildlife, and reducing pollution in our locality. Threats may not always be imminent, but having a group like WEPA means our community can mobilise when needed.

Karen Smith and Emily Thornton from the Aboriginal Heritage Office then spoke to the students about First Nations connections to Flat Rock Gully which of course dwarfs WEPA’s involvement.

The Aboriginal Heritage Office website includes a dedicated section on Flat Rock Gully

We want to thank Willoughby Council’s Bushland Team for organising the day in collaboration with Willoughby Girls High School. We were thrilled to be asked to take part and share WEPA’s Flat Rock Gully story with the Year 8 students, as well as having the opportunity to talk about community engagement and participation.

Kristina addressing students
Photo: Willoughby City Council

Published 28 August 2026