Sutherland Shire - Cronulla, Miranda, Caringbah, Engadine, Menai, Gymea

Welcome to the Sutherland Shire

On line community guide providing detailed information on local Sports, Events, Beaches, business and shopping in the area of the Sutherland Shire in the South of Sydney NSW.

The Sutherland Shire is located at the southern coastal border of the Sydney metropolitan region of Sydney, Australia. Geographically, it is the area to the south of Botany Bay and the Georges River. The administrative centre of the local government is located in the suburb of Sutherland, with council chambers located in Eton Street. The Sutherland Shire is also known simply as "The Shire".

Day trippers to the Sutherland Shire account for the largest group of visitors each year. They are particularly attracted by the area's great natural beauty including:

our famous beaches stretching from Cronulla to Wanda
the Royal National Park (the country's oldest)
historic Kurnell – the birthplace of Modern Australia
the Bundeena Ferry
Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus
E.G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens.

Population: 215,084 • Density: 642.0/km² (1662.8/sq mi) Area: 335 km² (129.3 sq mi).

Population growth in the shire has been limited by approval of residential development. The population increased from 193,000 in 1996 to over 202,000 in 2001. Recent growth has occurred largely in the Barden Ridge and Menai areas (where the new releases of land for urban development have been) and around the main railway stations.

The Sutherland Shire is predominantly a residential area but also has substantial industrial, commercial and rural areas. The major commercial areas of the shire are located in the suburbs of Sutherland , Miranda (home to a large Westfield shopping centre, traditionally known as Miranda Fair ), Cronulla , Caringbah , Menai and Engadine .

The Sutherland Shire also includes the village of Kurnell , close to the first landing site of James Cook, Sydney's oil refinery and Towra Point Nature Reserve, a wetland of international importance. The Sutherland Shire is also where Australia's first and only nuclear facility is based, at Lucas Heights . The reactor, run by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) does not produce electricity but is used for the production of radiopharmaceuticals, for research and irradiation.

There are three national parks partially within the Sutherland Shire: Botany Bay National Park, Heathcote National Park and the Royal National Park . The isolated bayside suburbs of Bundeena and Maianbar are situated between the northern edge of the Royal National park and Port Hacking . They are only accessible through the park or by the ferry from Cronulla.

In terms of residential development, one of the most imaginative homebuilding concepts has been Sylvania Waters . Here, individually designed family homes have been built around a series of man-made canals. The urban release of land in the Menai district, to the west of the Woronora River, commenced in the 1970s

Education: There are now nearly 100 schools in the Shire including the Gymea and Loftus Colleges of Technical and Further Education, more than twenty secondary schools, preschool centres and schools provided to serve children with special needs. And Child care centres.

Health : The Sutherland Shire has good health facilities including the Sutherland Public hospital and Kareena Private Hospital - both located at Caringbah , very close to most residents and many general practitioners within the area.

The area of Sutherland Shire is serviced by Veolia Transport bus services and City Rail trains on the Illawarra line.

Miranda is the commercial centre of the Shire with two other major shopping centres, Kiora Mall and Miranda Marketplace along with Miranda Fair. Westfield Miranda, known locally as Miranda Fair, has several department stores and many specialist stores. The centre is the fourth largest shopping centre in Sydney. Other suburban shopping centres, in Engadine , Caringbah and Sylvania have also flourished.

Major neighbourhood shopping centres have also developed at Bangor , Illawong and Menai together with a small centre at Alfords Point . Southgate is a popular shopping complex in Sylvania . Gymea Shopping Village attracts many people, with a regional arts centre, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre , and a vibrant cafe and restaurant scene.