Homes For Workers

Housing is now core economic policy. Business Illawarra is calling for urgent, place-based action so workers can live locally, and businesses throughout the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands can grow.

Across NSW, a clear consensus has emerged: more homes are needed, in more places, delivered faster.

Major planning reform is now underway, and housing has rightly moved to the centre of the economic policy agenda. This momentum is welcome and long overdue.

OUR CURRENT ADVOCACY AGENDA

In February 2026, Business Illawarra hosted our FUTURE OF HOUSING Summit, releasing our Homes for Workers 2026 paper.

Business Illawarra works across the Illawarra, South Coast and Highland's. As part of Business NSW, we continue to advocate for practical, evidence based solutions aligned with regional economic needs.

Our HOMES FOR WORKERS advocacy paper builds on our history of Housing Advocacy and sets out the immediate, place-based actions required to turn reform into delivery. It identifies priority locations for accelerated housing supply alongside system wide reforms needed to unlock workforce participation, lift productivity and support sustainable growth.

Business Illawarra remains committed to working constructively with government and partners to ensure housing policy delivers real outcomes, for our businesses.

ADVOCACY BACKGROUND

For Business Illawarra, housing for workers has been a priority for many years.

Through our FIRST FUND, in 2023 we commissioned detailed, region-specific research into affordable and key worker housing across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, responding directly to members who warned housing shortages were undermining workforce attraction, business expansion and essential services. Our approach is business led and member driven. That work confirmed the scale and urgency of the challenge in our region and the need for coordinated action across government, industry and the community.

SEE THE 2023 HOUSING REPORTS

WHATS NEXT?

In 2026, Business Illawarra FIRST members have identified Housing as a key priority and we will complete a strategic review of the 2023 report - looking at what has been achieved, what is still needed - and a continued way forward for our regions housing needs to support our workforce.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR FIRST NETWORK

OUR HOUSING WINS + MEDIA

Housing Affordability for Key Workers in the Illawarra & Shoalhaven

✔ Compiled and released a Business Illawarra Regional Housing Solutions Report, containing recommended actions for every stakeholder regionally to address the mounting affordable housing crisis in the region. See the regional housing solutions report her e.
✔ Nowra Riverfront Precinct: $5 million committed to unlock planning blockages and deliver key worker housing to support the hospital redevelopment, 2025.
✔ Shoalhaven Council Affordable Housing Strategy adopted - 2024 ✔
✔ Delivery of Illawarra Affordable Housing Strategy
✔ 60 build-to-rent apartments delivered in Bomaderry Bomaderry | Landcom

NSW Planning Policy Reforms

NSW Planning System Reforms Bill 2025

✓ A new Development Coordination Authority: A streamlined “single front door” for development approvals, reducing duplication and improving coordination across government agencies.

✓ Housing Delivery Authority legislated: A dedicated body to accelerate major housing projects and support large-scale development — a critical step in addressing regional housing shortages.

✓ Faster approvals for minor development: Introduction of deemed approvals where councils do not respond within statutory timeframes, cutting red tape and creating greater certainty for industry.

✓ A stronger focus on housing affordability: The reforms directly address the pressures faced by NSW’s housing market by enabling more supply, encouraging investment, and reducing administrative delays.

✓ Pattern Book Designs

✓ Planning reform in trasport precincts across the region