The Property Council of Australia today welcomed targeted investments in the 2025-26 NSW Budget to support regional resilience and economic growth in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
Property Council Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Director Matthew Wales said the Budget recognised the region's critical role in the state's future energy economy and highlighted the need for long-term planning and economic renewal.
"The Illawarra Shoalhaven is well placed to lead in new energy, advanced manufacturing and sustainable urban growth - and this Budget makes a great start by investing in the infrastructure and institutions that support that shift," Mr Wales said.
Key Budget commitments for the Illawarra Shoalhaven include:
- $220 million to support the future expansion and redevelopment of the Wollongong Hospital and Health Precinct. The proposed expansion involves early and enabling works including site investigation, land acquisition and refurbishment works.
- $680.5 million over four years to continue the Princes Highway Corridor Upgrade, including construction of the Milton Ulladulla Bypass, Jervis Bay Road intersection upgrade and Jervis Bay Road to Hawken Road upgrade, and safety and productivity upgrades (NSW and Australian Government funded).
- $267.1 million over four years to continue major construction of the Mount Ousley Interchange (NSW and Australian Government funded).
- $20 million additional funding towards the delivery of new south-facing ramps on the Princes Motorway at Dapto (NSW and Australian Government funded).
- $27.3 million to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority to coordinate new economic opportunities in coal-producing communities
- Continuing the $35.0 million investment into 60 build-to-rent apartments in Bomaderry delivered by Landcom
- $5 million to stabilise the Warrawong Parklands seawall, restoring safe public access and strengthening the parkland's resilience against coastal erosion.
- A share in a $452 million investment in new bus services across the state.
"The Warrawong upgrade is a practical investment in local amenity and climate resilience, while the new bus routes will help connect people to jobs and services across the region," Mr Wales said.
Mr Wales said investment in infrastructure, precinct activation and transport connectivity was critical to unlocking the region's full potential.
"The Illawarra Shoalhaven is home to over 427,000 people and is the state's third-largest economy - but it won't keep growing without the right infrastructure in place," Mr Wales said.
Mr Wales said forward investment in Port Kembla, the Wollongong CBD, and regional transport networks would support housing, jobs and investment across the region.
"We've called for expansion of Port Kembla, activation of the BlueScope Master Plan, and greater investment in Wollongong's health and innovation precincts. We will look to future Budgets as the opportunity deliver on those fronts," he said.
"Port Kembla alone has the potential to support up to 30,000 new jobs across advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries - with the right commitment from government."
The Property Council's Budget Submission called for strategic investment in:
- Expansion of Port Kembla and delivery of the BlueScope Master Plan
- Activation of Wollongong's health and innovation precincts
- Dedicated funding for the Illawarra Sports and Entertainment Precinct and the Nowra Riverfront Precinct
- A coordinated tourism strategy and upgraded infrastructure to support the visitor economy
- Improved rail and bus services across the region and better links to growth areas in Western Sydney
"This region is transforming - and we need government to keep pace with that transformation," Mr Wales said.
"The Illawarra Shoalhaven is ready to play a bigger role in the state's economic and housing future, but only if it's backed with the right infrastructure, connections and investment," he said.
"We remain ready to continue to work closely with state and local governments to bring certainty to major projects and drive the housing and economic outcomes NSW needs."
