A reputation for innovation, sustainability and resilience, in 2041 the Illawarra Shoalhaven is a diverse, creative and globally connected region.

The region is a place where the escarpment meets the sea, and where a strong commitment to community drives vibrant and healthy local places. Visitors are welcomed to responsibly share and connect with the area’s Aboriginal history, natural environment and heritage.

With an economy transformed, the Illawarra Shoalhaven combines proximity to Sydney with an educated workforce and an ecosystem of innovation. Collaboration and an entrepreneurial culture combine to attract investment and stimulate employment in diverse industries, from knowledge services, health, defence and the visitor economy to a manufacturing capability centred around advanced manufacturing, the Internet of Things and smart technologies.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven offers many opportunities to leverage the blue highway to increase the economic contribution of marine tourism, further creating regional job opportunities.

Metro Wollongong is the heart of the Illawarra Shoalhaven region and the third largest city in NSW. The regional cities of Shellharbour and Nowra are locations for economic productivity, housing choice and cultural activities.

Strategic centres are well serviced by utilities, public transport, walking and cycling, education, health and community infrastructure and provide shopping, community and commercial services. Strategic centres in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region include Corrimal, Milton-Ulladulla, Kiama, Gerringong, Dapto, Bomaderry and Albion Park Rail.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven will leverage its location and strengths to provide smart, efficient and reliable connections that bring residents and visitors closer to jobs, centres, education and the natural environment.

• Improved and faster connections to Sydney and Western Sydney for passenger and freight
• Improved east-west links
• Improved road and digital connectivity

Regionally significant employment precincts will support jobs growth and development, and generate significant economic benefits for the community. They are supported by other industrial areas such as those in Ulladulla and Unanderra.

The region’s environmental values are mapped as High Environmental Value land and include a network of biodiversity corridors. Important biodiversity corridors cross the region with the north-south corridors the most notable, however, a number of east-west corridors exist as well. These areas drive ecological diversity and connections and make the region a great place to live and visit. Environmental values are protected in national parks and other conservation areas, marine parks, dedicated Crown land and the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment lands.

To meet the demand for 58,000 new houses to 2041, a balanced approach will provide housing opportunities in urban release areas and existing urban areas.

Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven have a sufficient supply of housing identified to meet demand to 2041, with the regionally significant growth areas of West Lake Illawarra and Nowra- Bomaderry being the focus for housing supply. These new communities are being designed to be healthy, vibrant, and sustainable with active and passive open space accessible by walkways, cycleways and public transport.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven’s agriculture production is estimated to contribute over $104.2 million to the regional economy. The dairy industry contributes 11 per cent of NSW’s milk production and is worth over $66 million. Other rural enterprises include organic produce, beef, cut flowers, and fruit. The region supports 50 hectares of aquaculture leases and has 11 active oyster farms.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven has a strong history of mining and extraction activity, dating back 200 years when coal deposits were first discovered around Coalcliff. These natural resources continue to make an economic and cultural contribution to the region and to Sydney.

The urban tree canopy includes trees along streets, in parks and other public spaces, and on privately owned land including front and backyards. Planning for more trees in urban areas encourages people to walk and cycle, improves the comfort and attractiveness of the network, diminishes traffic noise, screens unwanted views and can have positive economic impacts. Tree canopy also influences the climate by transpiring water, changing wind speeds, shading surfaces, and modifying the heat absorbed by urban surfaces.