It’s natural that a community living between the mountains and the sea will be conscious of its local environment. Climate change is real and we need to build the low-carbon economy of the future.

Sustainable industry practices, driving energy efficiency improvements, new sources of energy generation, capture and storage as well as transforming our transport and agricultural sectors will all play a part. 

Local industries are already working to reduce their environmental impact - when I was growing up some days the air around Wollongong was thick with pollution that we only rarely experience now - but there is much more to do. 

I worked hard to secure changes to NSW legislation to establish the Illawarra as a Renewable Energy Zone and already there has been strong interest in investing in renewable energy projects in the region. 

I will continue to work hard so that the Illawarra is part of building our clean energy future.