Welcome to RDA Illawarra

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Illawarra is the peak regional development consultative organisation for the Illawarra region (Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Local Government Areas).

It is a locally based, not-for-profit, incorporated association and is part of a national network of RDA committees serving rural, regional, remote and urban communities across Australia.

RDA Illawarra is currently governed by a Board of 11 Illawarra business and community leaders, jointly appointed by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, who volunteer their time to promote the sustainable development of the Illawarra region. A small team of regional development practitioners is employed by the Board, which receives operational funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

RDA’s role is to be a link between community, business and Government by:

• Advising Government about needs and opportunities in the Illawarra;
• Providing whole-of-Government responses to opportunities and needs in the region; and
• Leading the implementation of economic development projects.

RDA Illawarra's central focus is sustainable economic development leading to employment growth, by working with partner organisations to identify and implement strategies and projects that:

• Enable economic and business growth in the region;
• Create jobs for the Illawarra's unemployed;
• Facilitate the development of employment generating infrastructure; and
• Build community capacity; particularly in disadvantaged suburbs.