The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) SMART Infrastructure Facility will play a vital role in the new Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal prospectus, which aims to provide a vision and program to drive the transformation of the region and its economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal brings together four councils and eight partner organisations – including UOW and the SMART Infrastructure Facility – in a shared vision for the region.
It is a vision that will deliver transformative change to the region, generating more than 12,000 high value add jobs in areas such as advanced manufacturing, professional services and technology, and enabling a more robust, more diverse Illawarra-Shoalhaven economy.
The proposed Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal initiative provides an opportunity to build from the existing Western Sydney City Deal to accelerate this growth relationship while also delivering important local infrastructure, facilities and jobs for the 420,000 people who live right here in our wonderful coastal region.
In addition to delivering 12,550 jobs over the next decade, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal:
- Creates growth for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven economy, and supports the growth of Greater and Western Sydney;
- Provides targeted transformative infrastructure projects that support a connected, diverse and resilient economy;
- Unlocks a recovery of the bushfire-ravaged visitor-economy for Shoalhaven;
- Develops the Circular Economy with a world-class waste reduction project;
- Creates a pipeline of Smart City projects, improving our overall economic resilience;
- Supports enhanced liveability for 70,000 plus households in the region and to South-Western Sydney, including Wollondilly and Campbelltown.
SMART’s Chief Operating Officer stated that the facility already works closely with industry and local government on projects that enhance the economic value across the region, such as Smart Waterways Management Project and the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL) report.
This City Deal states a clear vision moving forward and provides a roadmap for everyone to work towards, she said. The prospectus includes a pipeline for implementation and delivery of smart city projects which will deliver high liveability impacts for the region.
The vision and program outlined represent a considered and confident package of initiatives that can drive the transformation of the Illawarra-Shoalhaven and position the region for economic and employment recovery, he said. Considerable effort and collaboration by key organisations, including UOW, has been applied to define and agree on a suite of initiatives that address transport infrastructure, the visitor economy and economic resilience across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven.
Federal and State Governments rightly encourage regional communities to take charge of defining their aspirations and charting a course of action. Leaders in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven have risen to that challenge. Now the team seeks the support and investment of the Government as well as their collaboration in delivering jobs growth and improved liveability for communities.
Job creation in Advanced Manufacturing is targeted through the expansion of the Albatross Aviation Technology Precinct at Nowra. Better road and rail access resulting from the Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal will attract investment in manufacturing, green energy, ICT and tourism in the bushfire affected South Coast.
The delivery of the projects in the proposed Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal will have a transformative impact on the regional economy. The strategic objectives of the Illawarra-Shoalhaven cities are to create over 12,550 high-quality jobs in the next decade by delivering investment in key industries that attracts new businesses and retains employees as residents in one of Australia’s most liveable regions.
The growth potential is currently constrained by a lack of investment to unlock the local economies. Additional investment from Federal and NSW governments in transformative infrastructure will allow the Illawarra-Shoalhaven to reach its full potential as a much needed ‘release valve’ for a congested Sydney.
