Significant progress has been made on a range of vital projects since the 2024-25 Budget was handed down in July.
These include the appointment of a main works contractor for the new Shellharbour Hospital and the appointment of a design team to lead the master planning for the upgrades and redevelopment of Wollongong Hospital.
The NSW Building Commissioner has landed in the region to crack down on dodgy builders, with a newly established permanent office servicing the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
More homes are being delivered in line with meeting the Minns Government’s five-year housing target of 13,900 new dwellings, through its Transport Oriented Development policy which is already accepting Development Applications around Corrimal and Dapto, along with the affordable housing bonus scheme which has attracted strong interest in the region.
And first home buyers in the Illawarra have been beneficiaries of the expanded stamp duty relief program, saving an average of $22,477 across the region.
In the Wollongong LGA alone, 780 first home buyers have saved an average of $22,500 to get a foot on the property ladder since the scheme began in July last year. Across the Illawarra more than 1500 first home buyers have benefited.
The 2024-25 NSW Budget included significant investments in improving essential services and infrastructure in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region, including:
- $781.9 million for the new Shellharbour Hospital and the new Warrawong Community Health Centre
- $390 million investment to build a new Mount Ousley Interchange in partnership with the Commonwealth Government
- $21.9 million Wollongong Hospital package
- $19.9 million for the construction of the Cleveland Road upgrade
- $10 million to develop the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan
- $5 million for the BlueScope Surplus Land Masterplan, preparing for the creation of a jobs centre for the State within the Illawarra
- $2 million for the activation plan for the Lake Illawarra foreshore land at Warrawong
- Ten new public preschools
Three sites in Wollongong will also be among the first in NSW where Homes NSW will trial the use of modular housing to deliver much needed social homes.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in NSW has access to world class health care, public education, housing, and essential services.
“Our 2024-25 Budget supported growing regional communities like the Illawarra by investing in hospitals and preschools, bringing more frontline workers to the regions and increasing housing supply.
“These investments are must-haves for the Illawarra region, and we are making progress on delivering them.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:
“The Minns Labor government is focused on delivering for Wollongong and the Illawarra, for residents of all ages and at all stages of life.
“We’ve already seen great take up of our first home buyers scheme, helping to get more people into homes today as we rezone areas to help deliver more homes for the future. At the same time we’re cracking down on dodgy builders.
“We’re also looking to the region’s future with the hard work underway to create a great public space on the Lake Illawarra foreshore at King Street and working across government on the planning to make sure that the surplus BlueScope lands deliver the best possible jobs and economic outcome for the region and state.
“Our investments in the region will improve people’s lives with our focus on building better homes, creating more jobs and building better communities.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Tania Brown said:
“Since the election of the Minns Government, I’ve been pleased to develop an even stronger working relationship with the NSW Government.
“It’s very clear to me that Wollongong and its future is high on the priorities of the government.
“I look forward continuing to work with them and provide new leadership for Wollongong’s future.”
