Why the Illawarra is perfectly positioned to capitalise on $3bn data centre
Plus The Illawarra Connection scholarship winners and a conference coup
As NSW approves a $3.1 billion hyperscale data centre, the Illawarra’s computing and green energy expertise has positioned the region as key talent pipeline.
The approval of Australia’s largest data centre is expected to create hundreds of new jobs in Western Sydney – and is likely to spark fresh opportunities for graduates and researchers from the University of Wollongong, which has quietly become a powerhouse in the exact skills these digital infrastructure giants need most.
The NSW government last week approved CDC Data Centres’ massive 504-megawatt facility at Marsden Park, about 80km north of Wollongong. The NSW Government says the project will create 220 construction jobs and 265 ongoing operational roles, but industry observers suggest the real employment impact will be far broader.
The region isn’t new to data centre operations. Since 2013, the Illawarra has hosted a sophisticated facility that pioneered many of the sustainability approaches now being touted at Marsden Park.
The Illawarra 1 data centre complex in Unanderra incorporates 12 bladerooms (data halls) with a total building area of 6530m² structured over four phases of development that rolled out between 2013 and 2015. What made it notable then (and still now) was its use of direct free air cooling for computers, resulting in significant energy reduction compared to traditional data centre air conditioning requirements.
The facility (above) also incorporates 15 plant rooms totalling about 3350m² as well as technical space. Now operating as Equinix’s SY7 facility Data Center Map, it serves enterprise clients and the NSW Government’s GovDC programme.
The presence of this established facility, combined with UOW’s research centres just 10 kilometres away, means the region has over a decade of operational experience with the cooling technologies and energy management systems that are now becoming industry standard.
As well as the Unanderra facility, there’s a 67-hectare purpose-built centre, The Southern Highlands Data Campus in Moss Vale.
Wollongong MP and NSW Planning Minister told The Financial Review Property Summit in September: “We have 90 data centres approved and another 20 under assessment, but we need to do more so the world knows NSW is investment ready.”
Sydney account is for 56 per cent of the $30 billion sector today, with Victoria’s capital at 30 per cent, commercial agency CBRE estimates.
Scholarship winners named
The Illawarra Connection handed out its 2026 scholarships on Tuesday, December 2, recognising two up-and-coming local leaders.
UOW’s Acting Dean, School of Business, Faculty of Business and Law, Associate Professor Belinda Gibbons, announced the winners of the 2026 The Illawarra Connection Scholarship, noting the long partnership that has helped 30 up-and-coming leaders take on postgraduate study since 2000.
This year’s scholarships went to Judy Augusta from Warrigal, who plans to study a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, and Biliana Jones from the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, who will take on a Graduate Certificate in Project Leadership and Management.
Local government extravaganza comes to the Gong
Wollongong will host the next Local Government NSW Annual Conference in November 2026.
The three-day local government extravaganza is expected to attract almost 1000 delegates from councils across the state.
At the recent 2025 conference in Penrith, outgoing LGNSW president, Mayor Phyllis Miller, announced the organisation will partner with Wollongong City Council to deliver the next event at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
After hearing Wollongong described as a “dynamic, forward-thinking city”, Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the city was ready to showcase its strengths, and declared it “one of the fastest growing residential areas in the state, outside of Sydney.
“The other thing about Wollongong is we know how to put on a show.”
That B-double’s back again
Back in August we shared details about BlueScope’s partnership with Toll Group and Windrose Technology, in testing an all-electric prime mover trial up Mount Ousley.
Now the EV B-double has made its way across Victoria, from tunnels to the impressive West Gate Bridge and more. It reportedly easily carried full loads ofCOLORBOND® steel for more than 300km on return trips from Western Port toLysaght in Geelong, with battery-charge to spare. Watch it here:
Hot ticket: Quick, Santa’s at Shellharbour this evening
But there’s no ticket required as Shellharbour City Council and Frasers Property Australia are in the festive holiday spirit. It starts this afternoon …
Free Christmas Party: Friday, December 5, from 4:30pm-9:30pm. The event is at the Shell Cove Marina boardwalk. It features a Santa visit, kids’ workshops, food trucks, and a Christmas photo display.
Free Outdoor Movie: Friday, December 5, at 8pm. The movie Elf will be shown at The Waterfront Town Centre, near the kids’ beach.
Artisan Market: Saturday, December 13, from 3pm-8pm and Sunday, December 14, from 10am- 3pm. The market at the Shellharbour Marina offers unique gift options.