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 more to do. 

To improve our environment and boost emissions, locally the Minns Government has:

• Established the Illawarra as the state’s first Urban Renewable Energy Zone
• Reformed planning laws to support the roll-out of renewable energy
• Developed a masterplan for Warrawong Parklands to turn this unloved 32-hectare site into one of the state’s great public spaces, with implementation underway
• Supporting the roll-out of more EV charging infrastructure
• Increased energy and water efficiency standards in new homes
• Supporting the development of new energy industries and companies in the Illawarra including Green Gravity, Hysata and Sicona Batteries
• Rezoned 200 hectares of industrial land at Port Kembla to support more renewable energy production
• Developed training facilities at Wollongong TAFE to help train workers to build renewable energy infrastructure

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