Illawarra Shoalhaven Greater Cities Partnership Prospectus drives region’s economic future
A robust plan to drive the economic future and liveability of the Illawarra Shoalhaven through targeting key transformative projects worth $1.9 billion will be unveiled by RDA Illawarra today.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Greater Cities Partnership Prospectus has been two years in development and aims to deliver transformative precincts that will develop the economy, generate employment and improve the liveability of the region.
The prospectus builds on the successful 2020 Illawarra Shoalhaven City Deal which attracted more than $470 million in funding to progress crucial regional projects.
Spanning the four local government areas of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven, the partnership unites twelve organisations to drive the narrative - RDA Illawarra, Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, University of Wollongong, Property Council, SMART Infrastructure Facility, RDA Far South Coast, Business Illawarra and UDIA.
Key projects targeted in the prospectus include:
- Port Kembla Industrial Precinct
- Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
- Marine Tourism Precinct
- Illawarra Sports and Entertainment Precinct
- Picton Road Duplication
- South-West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL)
- Marine Tourism Highway (Blue Highway)
- 30-minute City – Public Transport
- M1 Southern Access
RDA Illawarra Chair Eddy De Gabriele said the Illawarra Shoalhaven Greater Cities Prospectus focuses on developing key precincts and enhancing connectivity with Western Sydney and regional NSW.
“During the past two years we have built on and refined our 2020 Illawarra Shoalhaven City Deal to reflect emerging opportunities and showcase for state and federal governments the growth in importance of this region,” he said.
“These are grassroots developments with broad support throughout the community and have the potential to facilitate a more diverse economy for the region while adding high-value jobs through renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, professional services and technology.
“The projects aim to deliver more than 12,000 jobs during the next decade while delivering transformative and aspirational projects worth $1.9 billion.”
ISJO Chair and Wollongong City Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery AM said the projects highlighted in the prospectus reflected the collaboration between the four councils and the strategic partners.
“We are delivering to state and federal government representatives, a definitive and viable plan to ensure the success of the Illawarra Shoalhaven into the future,” he said.
“That plan incorporates the potential for economic growth, employment opportunities and better living standards while ensuring connectivity for both the community and business sector and driving the visitor economy to ensure the long-term economic resilience of the region.”
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Cities Partnership Collaborative, led by RDA Illawarra, is now seeking state and federal government funding and the support of private investors to deliver the projects.
Download the Prospectus here.