Despite being close neighbours with one of the country's most heavily industrialised coastlines, the Five Islands off Port Kembla have long provided a refuge for endangered shore birds.
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The islands are important breeding grounds for little penguins, pelicans and shearwaters, as well as the vulnerable sooty oystercatcher.
But this safe haven has been slowly degrading, not because of industry, but due to weed infestation.
Over the years, the common lawn grass, kikuyu, has spread to form a thick mat over much of the islands.
Though it looks innocent enough, the grass can trap or strangle a baby penguin.
Kikuyu can also prevent parent birds from accessing their burrows to feed their young, with the result that penguin numbers, along with others species, have been in decline.
Since April last year, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been tackling the problem, with a trial currently under way to rid Big Island of kikuyu, morning glory and other weeds.
Big Island, or Booirodoong, was farmed by the Perkins family from about 1867. They grazed cattle, bred rabbits and caught sharks for their oil there.
In 1925 a mining lease was granted over two hectares of the sea floor on the western side of Big Island, and shells were also extracted from the lease for several years.
Once part of the mainland, the islands have a rich Aboriginal history.
One story recorded by the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation says the islands are the five wayward daughters of the west wind, who threw them one by one into the sea to cool their tempers.
Illawarra elders have told of the harvesting of sea birds and eggs up until the mid-20th century from the settlements around Hill 60.
The Aboriginal heritage of the islands is part of the broader NPWS management plan, and recently a group of Illawarra Dharawal elders toured the reserve to see the work first hand.
Ranger Rowena Morris said it was an honour to be able to consult with the elders about the restoration project.
Indigenous involvement has also been strengthened with Berrim Nuru - the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council Green Team - joining the project.
Project officer Ben Coddington said his team was excited about the Big Island project.
"We are seeing good recovery in native ground cover species such as Warrigal green, salt bush and native wandering jew," he said.
