02 FEBRUARY 2026

Business Illawarra will launch its 2026 advocacy agenda with the Future of Housing Summit, headlined by sustainability advocate and Future House host Jamie Durie, as the organisation calls for a sharper focus on housing delivery and infrastructure alignment across regional NSW.

Housing supply constraints across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands are increasingly undermining workforce participation, business investment and productivity, with flow on impacts for the NSW economy.

As Business Illawarra’s first major advocacy event of 2026, the Summit will focus on accountability, infrastructure readiness and delivery timelines — and on what must change to turn policy reform into housing on the ground.

Business Illawarra Director, Coralie McCarthy, said the inclusion of Jamie Durie as keynote reflects the need to challenge traditional thinking on housing delivery.

“Jamie brings a national perspective on what future ready housing must look like,” Ms McCarthy said.

“This Summit is about lifting the conversation — not just on supply, but on how we design, deliver and future-proof housing for growing regions.”

Ms McCarthy said while recent planning reforms were welcome, enabling infrastructure remains the critical barrier to delivery.

“We recognise the significant progress made through planning reform,” she said. “But approvals don’t build homes. Roads, water and essential services must move at the same pace, or housing targets will continue to fall short.”

“Infrastructure alignment is now the missing link between policy ambition and delivery.”

Ms McCarthy said housing constraints are no longer a purely regional issue, but a material economic risk for NSW.

“Housing is not just a social issue — it’s a workforce and productivity issue,” she said.

“If regions like the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands can’t house the people who support industry, health, education and construction, the State’s growth ambitions are at risk.”

The Summit builds on Business Illawarra’s Housing Report released in 2023, which helped establish a coordinated regional agenda and contributed to planning reform and increased investment in affordable and key-worker housing.

“That work created momentum,” Ms McCarthy said.

“This Summit is about the next phase — delivery, infrastructure and outcomes.”

The Future of Housing Summit will bring together senior State Government ministers, industry leaders and regional stakeholders to assess progress, identify barriers and align policy and investment priorities.

In addition to keynote speaker Jamie Durie, confirmed speakers and panellists include the NSW

Ministers for Planning and Housing, alongside senior leaders from the property, development and housing sectors.

“If NSW wants strong, resilient economic growth, housing delivery in outside of the city centres must be treated as core economic infrastructure,” Ms McCarthy said.

“That’s why housing is where our 2026 advocacy agenda begins”

Proudly sponsored by: Housing Trust, Colliers, Wollongong Granny Flats & Edmiston Jones

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Friday 20 February 2026 Time: 8.00am – 12.00pm Location: CityBeach Function Centre, 1 Marine Drive, Wollongong NSW

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Jamie Durie, TV Host, Future House

• Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

• Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing, Homelessness, Water, Mental Health and Youth

• Amanda Winks, CEO, Housing Trust

• Simon Kersten, Managing Director, Colliers

See event information online here.

Proudly sponsored by: Housing Trust, Colliers, Wollongong Granny Flats & Edmiston Jones

Media Contact

Coralie McCarthy

Director, Business Illawarra

M: 0417 431 564

E Coralie.McCarthy@businessnsw.com

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About Business Illawarra

Business Illawarra is the region’s peak business organisation; a not-for-profit advocacy group dedicated to the economic development of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. On behalf of our members, we develop policy and are the leading voice representing business across the region.

Business Illawarra is owned and supported by Business NSW, the state's leading advocacy voice for business across NSW. Of the few enduring, independent, not-for-profit organisations in Australia, Business NSW is the only one focused on the wellbeing of the business community. Our purpose has always been to provide a strong advocate to all levels of government on issues affecting businesses, undertake research to guide greater public and private sector investment in economic infrastructure, and support the development of workforce capacity and skills in our region.