Wooyung is a small town located in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales.
The most recent census indicated a population of 139, with a median age of 49. Wooyung is thought to either mean 'slow' in the Githabul and Yugambeh dialects of the Bundjalung language; this is said to reflect the natural tranquillity of the area. Alternatively it is thought to be named for the grass that is present there or 'place of long grass'.
History In the 19th century, European settlers arrived at Wooyung and, the first permanent settlement there was known of 'O'Niel's Camp' and then, from 1882, as 'Billinudgel Camp'.
In 1919 a wooden school was built there and, in the lead up to its completion, the Education Department were petitioned by local people to name the school 'Newhaven' (also recorded as New Haven) following a community meeting in July 1918. They formed a Newhaven Progress Association and were disappointed when the school and area was named Wooyung in November 1919.
Wooyung Nature Reserve In March 1999, the Wooyung Nature Reserve was established, a protected area of 87 hectares, in the north of the Wooyung locality. The Reserve contains littoral rainforest and borders on the beach.
Development controversy In 2006, Tweed Shire Council administrator Lucy Turnbull approved a plan for a controversial $240 million resort at Wooyung,Peter Caton 'Woyung resort to go ahead'. Tweed Daily News. 30 October 2006 despite there being alleged legal, cultural, environmental and community concerns with the proposed development.Wooyung Defenders website; http://wooyungdefenders.com/. Accessed 10 January 2020. Sees also ICAC. 1990. Report into North Coast Development. Sydney: Independent Commission against Corruption, especially 'Chapter 17. The Woyung Project - Ocean Lakes'. pp.305-332. As of 2019, funding for the project had still yet to be settled.BNA. 'Partners sought for $240 million development'. Business News Australia. 30 November 2019.
Current usage Wooyung is currently home to the Wooyung Beach Holiday Park, described in the official NSW Tourist website as "one of the few remaining bush camping sites on the east coast".Visit NSW website, https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/the-tweed-area/accommodation/wooyung-beach-holiday-park. Accessed 6 January 2020.
Demographics As of the 2021 Australian census, 139 people resided in Wooyung, up from 118 in the . The median age of persons in Wooyung was 49 years. There were more males than females, with 51.8% of the population male and 48.2% female. The average household size was 2.5 people per household.
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