Two big picture thinking forums, plus another executive post opens in Wollongong
And why pools and an iconic walk is on council's agenda
The Illawarra’s economic and social future will be the focus of two significant events next week, as regional leaders tackle the dual challenges of housing supply and social justice.
On Friday, February 20, Business Illawarra will host the Future of Housing forum at the CityBeach Function Centre). Shifting the focus from advocacy to action, the event features a heavyweight panel including Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, thee Minister for Housing Rose Jackson MLC, and Jamie Durie. With the 2023 Illawarra First Housing Report as a backdrop, the forum will address business viability, delivery barriers, and the critical role of affordable housing in maintaining a competitive regional workforce.
Complementing this corporate dialogue, the Fairer Australia: A Social Justice Workshop will run concurrently. Organised by the Community Industry Group, senior economist at The Australia Institute, Matt Grudnoff, is the special guest while Jordan Matthews, from Veracity Innovation, will present a much-anticipated workshop,
This session focuses on the human element of policy, challenging participants to explore frameworks for a more equitable community. Together, these events represent a coordinated effort by the region’s commercial and community sectors to address the systemic pressures of cost-of-living and infrastructure.
For more details on the social justice seminar, go here; and for the housing forum, try here
NSW SES executive role open
The state is looking for a senior executive to join the NSW State Emergency Service based in Wollongong.
The Deputy Commissioner - Executive Operations will “lead statewide operational strategy, strengthen community resilience, and shape the future of emergency management in NSW”, the ad says.
As you’d expect there’s much more to it - along the lines of leading statewide emergency preparedness and response for the NSW SES, directing major incident operations, governance, partnerships, workforce capability and public representation to strengthen community safety and resilience across New South Wales.
The fulltime role comes with a remuneration package of $312,914 to $350,333. Applications close at 11.55pm on Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Grand Pacific Walk’s Coledale expansion
Wollongong City Council has signaled the next phase of the Grand Pacific Walk, a 60km infrastructure project designed to link the Royal National Park to Lake Illawarra. The upcoming Coledale section involves a 1km shared path connecting Austinmer from the northern end of Sharky Beach car park to Headland Avenue.
According to a recent statement from Wollongong City Council, the draft plan includes formalizing the Sharky Beach car park and reinstating bus shelters. The project aims to bolster the region’s active transport network, integrating new seating, wayfinding signage, and safety railings. Lord Mayor Tania Brown categorized the walk as a “legacy project,” emphasising its role as a high-profile link for both residents and the local tourism economy.
This development follows completed works at Stanwell Park, Coalcliff, and Clifton. The council is currently seeking community feedback on the Coledale design to identify potential logistical limitations before construction begins.
Pop-up Info session: Sharky Beach car park, Saturday, February 21 (9–11 am).
Feedback deadline: Engagement closes, March 1, 2026.
And while we’re on council matters …
Wollongong’s love affair with water runs deep, from dawn laps at Beaton Park to ocean rock pools dips. Now council is asking the community to help shape how those spaces evolve, with input open on a 20-year Aquatic and Indoor Sport Strategy.
This strategy will guide the future of aquatic centres, indoor sports facilities and community pools across the city. It’s about more than bricks and lanes. It’s about access, safety, capacity, sustainability and making sure people of all ages and abilities can stay active, connected and healthy for decades to come.
That includes the coastline’s greatest hits -our rock pools. From Wombarra and Austinmer to Woonona all the way south to the Gentleman’s Pool in Wollongong.
Council wants to know what you use, what you love, what’s missing and what could be better. Your feedback will directly inform a draft strategy before it goes on public exhibition later this year. Check it out here.
Powering up batteries
As MPs debated all things energy in Canberra recently, Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes included the nation’s renewable energy future to the discussion. She detailed how the Illawarra has enthusiastically embraced the government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
“As of 18 January, my electorate of Cunningham now has 1568 new small-scale batteries, which will provide 36,595 kilowatt-hours of capacity,” she told the House. Byrnes went on to share feedback from a number of satisfied constituents and battery owners.
The region doesn’t make the A-list of early-adopters with the three federal seats in Sydney’s Hills district - Mitchell, Berowra and Greenway - along with two northern NSWS electorates, Page and Richmond, filling the top five take-up zones in NSW.
Having gone live on July 1 last year, and expanded in December, since the program started around 4.7GWhs of battery storage capacity has been installed, doubling Australia’s battery capacity.
Hot ticket
If you’ve enjoyed Theatre Under the Stars before, you won’t need to sold on this …
Merrigong Theatre Company and UOW have teamed up to present Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors al fresco - at UOW’s Kooloobong Oval until February 22. Tickets are available here.
If you like your entertainment a bit sweatier but have no intention of watching St George Illawarra start the 2026 season in Las Vegas, then get down to WIN Stadium on Saturday night. The Charity Shield clash with South Sydney has Gutho, Cookie and Flanno back for the Dragons and a few familiar faces in Bunny colours (yes, Matt Dufty is their fullback!). Kick off is 8.10pm. Get your tickets here
Somewhere in between those two Shakespeare and the NRL is Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour. A date at Bowral’s Centennial Vineyards was announced this week. It’s on the calendar for March 28 and it’s an Aussie who’s who. John Rooney, Kate Ceberano, Ian Moss and Icehouse will warm up the crowd before Barnsey hits the stage at 8.10pm. You might need to get in quickly. Tickets here
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