Advocacy Achievements 2022 - 2024
We are more than just talk, we get it done.
✔ Better Rail connectivity between the Illawarra and Sydney
- A $10 million commitment to an Illawarra Rail Network Resilience Masterplan in the first term of the NSW Government. Includes investigation of the South West Illawarra Rail Link and improvements to the South Coast Line.
✔ Growing our Region's Defence Industry Sector
- Delivery of a 10-year Defence Industry Strategy for the Illawarra Shoalhaven, an Illawarra First funded project undertaken by KPMG in consultation with a wide range of defence industry stakeholders across the region. Read the report here.
✔ Road Connectivity
- Commitment to deliver the Picton Road Motorway Project with $120 million in planning funding secured.
- Full funding of the $300 million Mount Ousley Interchange Project.
- Both secured in the last Federal Budget following successive state and federal reviews.
- Nowra Bi-Pass $105 million committed to progress the bi-pass from state and federal budget.
- Local Road Improvement package, Shoalhaven, $40million federal funding 2022.
✔ Deliver a world-class Illawarra Sport and Entertainment Precinct
- Completed Master-planning and business case development for an Illawarra Sport and Entertainment Precinct, funded by $3.5 million secured in the 2022 state budget. See the completed business case here.
✔ Housing Affordability for Key Workers in the Illawarra and 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 here.
- Nowra Riverfront precinct: $5 million committed to unlock planning blockages and deliver key worker housing to support the hospital redevelopment, 2025.
✔ Making it easer to do Business
Advocacy to Council following feedback from hospitality operators in Wollongong resulted in streamlined processes for outdoor dining, and investments across the city in hard infrastructure like parklets.
In collaboration with our Regional Advisory Council (RAC), we devise our key priorities for our coming year. Continuing to focus on right now issues and big thought leadership projects.
VISITOR ECONOMY
Strengthening the visitor economy, major events, and hospitality to boost local businesses and attract visitors.
CLEAN ENERGY
Position the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands as a premier destination for future focused trade and investment opportunities in clean energy industries.
KEY WORKER HOUSING
Supporting smart housing policies to ensure workers and families can live and work locally.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Faster, more efficient, road, rail, freight and air networks to keep businesses moving and trade flowing.
A STRONG PERSONAL IDENTITY
Leading the conversation on who we are and our future, promoting Illawarra as the destination of choice for new investment, talent, and new opportunities
WORDS IN WHITE TO MAKE SPACE
WORDS IN WHITE TO MAKE SPACE
BACKED BY RESEARCH
Through a close engagement with all levels of government and leaders in business, the region’s premium leadership forum Illawarra First presents a sophisticated voice for the Illawarra with a clear emphasis on outcomes. Effective public policy must be evidence based, and so a fund comprising $1 million has been established to support our thought leadership and advocacy work.
The fund is being used to advance research and advocacy projects of region-wide economic significance, and Illawarra First members are deeply involved in policy development to influence our research priorities and inform our advocacy efforts.
