117,000 homes, 101,000 jobs: Inside the draft plan for Illawarra’s future
A blueprint for regional growth?
The Illawarra Shoalhaven could gain more than 117,000 homes and more than 101,000 jobs over the next two decades under a draft regional plan that also reshapes the region to reflect its growing connection with Western Sydney.
The draft Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan, to be launched today at Wollongong Civic Centre, sets out how the region could accommodate another 161,000 people by 2046 through new housing, employment land, transport links and infrastructure.
Among the most significant changes is the inclusion of Wingecarribee in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven planning region for the first time. The draft plan says the move reflects the region’s strengthening economic, social and strategic relationship with South West Sydney, particularly as the Western Sydney Airport emerges as a major employment and investment hub.
The plan sets a target of 321,450 jobs by 2046, up from 219,600 today, with the health sector expected to experience the strongest growth, adding 31,000 jobs - a 78 per cent increase.
Manufacturing and production are forecast to create a further 18,700 jobs, while business services, retail, education, technology and industrial sectors are also projected to grow strongly.
Around 80 per cent of new housing would be concentrated in major centres including Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Bowral and Nowra, with the aim of locating new homes close to jobs, transport and essential services.
The draft plan identifies Port Kembla, the Wollongong Health Precinct, Shellharbour Airport and industrial land around Nowra as the region’s key employment precincts and calls for stronger transport connections within the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, together with improved road and rail links to South West Sydney.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, said bringing Wingecarribee into the region recognised its growing links with both the Illawarra and South West Sydney.
“By including the Wingecarribee region for the first time this recognises the growing social and economic connections between the Illawarra and southwest Sydney,” he said.
“Through its jobs targets, the Plan is backing the region’s economic future, driving key employment precincts in Port Kembla, the Wollongong Health Precinct, Shellharbour Airport and industrial lands around Nowra while also strengthening ties to the emerging innovation and investment hub that is Western Sydney Aerotropolis.”
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast and Member for Keira, Ryan Park, said planning now would help ensure infrastructure, services and employment kept pace with growth.
“As the region continues to grow, we need to make sure we deliver the infrastructure, services and jobs to grow with it,” he said.
“We’re planning for the years to come by creating more opportunities close to where people live, whether that’s new jobs, more homes or better-connected communities.”
The draft plan will be on public exhibition until September 28, with community feedback to inform the final strategy.
And while you’re here … another global entity wraps Wollongong
Canva isn’t the only global name spruiking the wonders of Wollongong recently. LinkedIn does too.
Days after news of the Sydney-based tech giant’s partnership with Wollongong City Council was revealed, the professional networking site included the city in its list of 10 cities on the rise in Australia.
You probably already know that - but did you drill down on the report?
Here’s what LinkedIn told its 16 million Aussie users about our city:
“Why Wollongong is on the rise: Wollongong is building on its industrial foundations through growth in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and education, while its proximity to Sydney continues to attract workers and businesses to the Illawarra region. New investment in technology, professional services and entrepreneurship is helping to diversify the local economy and create opportunities across a broader range of industries.
“Top industries hiring: Higher Education, Health and Human Services, Medical Practices | Top employers: University of Wollongong, BlueScope, NSW Department of Education | Flexible work availability: 1.2% remote, 27.9% hybrid.”
LinkedIn determined the ranking of “cities on the rise” by identifying metro areas experiencing the strongest job market momentum and more workers moving in versus out.
Third time’s the charm: Extraction 3 finally lands
Netflix’s Extraction franchise has been trying to shoot in New South Wales for the better part of five years - and it’s finally happened. Chris Hemsworth is back as black-ops mercenary Tyler Rake, joined once again by Idris Elba and Golshifteh Farahani.
And it’s safe to say the crew at Samaras Wollongong were pretty thrilled, having hosted a certain C. Hemsworth at their CBD restaurant on Wednesday.
The highlight? Samaras reckons it was Hemsworth saying: “I feel like I’m at my grandma’s house”. Does it get any better than that? Well, he did leave with a bottle of homemade olive oil and declared the lamb shawarma with garlic sauce his fave. Check out the reel here.
The Extraction franchise was originally slated to film in Sydney back in 2021, but Extraction 2 was relocated to Prague and Vienna amid COVID-19 lockdowns. The pivot away from Australia reportedly came down to Hemsworth’s tight schedule ahead, combined with the logistical risk of moving cast and crew into regional NSW under pandemic restrictions. So this shoot is effectively the homecoming that’s been half a decade in the making.
Producer Patrick Newall namechecked Wollongong MPs Paul Scully and Alison Byrnes among a bevy of politicians, the Port Authority of NSW and Screen NSW for their help. Filming is happening across Sydney and the NSW South Coast until September. Where might he dine next?
Big ticket
Like a short, sharp film experience - and by short, we’re talking about five minutes? If that’s your bag, then The Very Short Film Festival at the Gala Cinema, Warrawong, on Saturday is for you. It starts at 6.30pm and is done by 8.30pm. Tickets here