BlueScope, ballots and big names. And an important question
Plus Kiama's by-election gallops to the ballot box, Shell Cove and more
The BlueScope of the future, top, As imagined by Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels. Pic supplied
Normal business continues below, but first …
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BlueScope front and centre
With another huge two days of inspirational connection and discussion at the i3net Industry Showcase, it’s no surprise BlueScope’s future was much discussed.
A major partner of the showcase, along with Wollongong City Council and QinetiQ Australia, BlueScope has also revealed its proposal to rezone 200 hectares of land at the Port Kembla steelworks is now in front of the NSW Government.
Existing industrial land will be transformed to lure new industries across advanced manufacturing, clean and renewable energy, education, and data and logistics to the site which BlueScope has declared “one of the largest industrial land revitalisation projects in the world”.
A number of historic buildings will be repurposed, maintaining the site’s industrial legacy while sitting alongside a future-focused hub that will support up to 30,000 local jobs, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, said.
“This site has the potential to make the most significant difference to the Illawarra’s industrial landscape since steelmaking commenced nearly 100 years ago and the biggest change to our local economy since the University of Wollongong became an independent institution 50 years ago.
Operations at the steelworks and the port will continue uninterrupted, with existing infrastructure and transport connections at the site to support new development.
The state government is fast-tracking the proposal and Mr Scully is already leading a cabinet-endorsed working group.
Community consultation for the proposal, which includes a draft master plan, technical studies, and an Explanation of Intended Effect, closes on October 2.
You can check out the Port Kembla Land Transformation Project here
To the polls, Kiama
It’s been an “interesting” month for the good folk of Kiama - barely a day has passed without a politician or potential politician entering their realm. And it all comes to an end on Saturday.
That’s when 13 people will contest the by-election made necessary by former MP Gareth Ward’s resignation. The convicted rapist resigned from jail on August 8, moments before the parliament was to expel him.
Ward first won the seat in 2011 and was re-elected four times. He held opponents at arm’s length until the 2023 ballot when Labor’s Katelin McInerney came within 680 votes of victory.
Over the past month McInerney has ushered Premier Chris Minns and many senior frontbenchers through the electorate as the party looks to reclaim the seat it last held in 2007.
Opposition leader Mark Speakman joined the Liberals candidate, former Shoalhaven City Councillor Serena Copley, in meeting with Business Illawarra members earlier this month while independent Kate Dezarnaulds, who stood for the federal seat of Gilmore, is another in the mix. The full list of candidates, in ballot paper order, is:
Tonia Gray (Greens)
Serena Copley (Liberal)
Andrew Thaler (Independent)
Roger Woodward (Independent)
Don Fuggle (Legalise Cannabis)
Ken Davis (Sustainable Australia)
Lisa Cotton (Independent)
Cyrille Jeufo Keuheu (Independent)
Felix Nelson (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers)
Joshua Beer (Libertarian)
Ellie Robertson (Animal Justice)
Kate Dezarnaulds (Independent)
Katelin McInerney (Labor)
Shell Cove, a gallery without walls
The PromenART Sculpture Walk is set to light up The Waterfront, Shell Cove, once again, returning today for its third spectacular year.
More than 50 sculptures valued at over $1.2 million will line the marina, transforming the 2.4km of boardwalks and pathways into a world-class outdoor gallery. Works from 25+ acclaimed artists will stop visitors in their tracks — and every piece is up for sale.
A highlight of the Illawarra’s cultural calendar, PromenART is delivered by the Shell Cove Project, a partnership between Frasers Property and Shellharbour City Council. Visitors can scan QR codes to unlock stories behind each artwork. More here
Stefanovic added to star-studded HIM Lunch
Karl Stefanovic will join cricket royalty Lord Ian Botham OBE at the 2025 Healthier Illawarra Men (HIM) International Men’s Day Lunch in November.
The Nine Network host will interview Lord Botham onstage and moderate a panel discussion, which will also feature media personality and men’s health advocate Gus Worland, and another special guest, yet to be revealed.
This marks a special return for Stefanovic to HIM, as he and Worland were involved in the inaugural 2022 Gotcha4Life Mateship Miles Brunch, which raised over $34,000 and laid the groundwork for HIM's development in the Illawarra.
Hot ticket
See above. Tickets are limited and selling fast. Get them here Tickets here
We’re listening to …
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps. As someone continuing to learn to about confrontation, these are my kind of uncomfortable conversations - someone else’s! From climate to China in the South Pacific, AI and back again, there’s diversity and challenging opinions galore. Find it on your preferred platform.