Transport Infrastructure

We are more than just talk, we get it done.

Better Rail connectivity between the Illawarra and Sydney

Road Connectivity 

  • The East Nowra South Arterial Road (ENZA) project has received $12 million from the NSW Government for project management, further investigations, design development and early works. Initial investigations and design optioneering are now complete. Concept design starts soon, with stakeholder consultation underway. Community updates are expected by mid-2026. Project page on Shoalhaven Council website - here.
  • 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 ✔ 
  • 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.✔

Key Worker Housing

Business Illawarra has strongly advocated for a faster, more transparent and more coordinated planning system to unlock housing supply and enable timely delivery of major developments across our region. The NSW Government’s Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 reflects several key changes our members have consistently called for.

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.

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 here. ✔ 
  • 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 ✔ 

 


Red Tape + Policy

Making it easier to do business.

 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. ✔ 

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. ✔ 




 Workers Compensation Reform

  • A bipartisan agreement has finally delivered workers’ compensation premium relief for 320,000 businesses. Instead of premiums rising 36% over the next three years, this deal freezes average premiums for 18 months and puts downward pressure on future costs.

    Key changes include:

    • WPI threshold lifted to 25% (from July 2026) ✔
    • 18-month cap on iCare premiums, with future adjustments guided by a new impairment model ✔
    • Additional benefits and intensive return-to-work support for workers above 20% WPI ✔
    • Stronger protections for employers through reforms to reasonable management action ✔

Illegal Tobacco Reform

  • Increased numbers of Illegal Tobacco stores in towns and villages impacting legal tobacconist business and CBD small shops.
  •  The NSW Government will roll out reforms to better protect the community from the harms of illegal tobacco, including tougher penalties, more enforcement officers, and a new tobacco licensing scheme for retailers, see this link.