Illawarra/South Coast

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Illawarra/South Coast

Illawarra/South Coast

Population: 417,901
Area: 15,234 sq km

Major cities and centres

Wollongong
Shellharbour
Kiama
Nowra (Shoalhaven)
Batemans Bay (Eurobodalla)
Bega

Region overview

recognised centre for information and communication technology (ICT), business and financial services, research and development
leading producer of steel and steel products in South East Asian region
home to one of Australia’s leading universities – University of Wollongong (UOW)

Major sectors

ICT, business and financial services
steel production, engineering and manufacturing
mining technology and services
defence/aviation
education
viticulture and aquaculture

The Illawarra/South Coast is a unique region that blends a stable industrial background, including steel production and export, with a dynamic new role as an ICT and education hub.

The region has a generally warm and humid climate, with heaviest rainfall occurring in summer and autumn. Temperatures range from 18 to 26 degrees Celsius in summer, and in winter, from nine to 16 degrees.

Stretching from Sydney’s Royal National Park to Eden, near the Victorian border, the region forms a string of pristine beaches and bays, backed by a hinterland that includes more than 30 national parks, marine parks and reserves. Here you’ll find glittering white sands, renowned as some of the whitest in the world, and an abundance of wildlife, from penguins to whales.

Competitive advantages

highly skilled and motivated workforce
relatively low staff turnover rates
broad range of industrial and commercial property options
affordable commercial rent
location and lifestyle
one hour south of Sydney international airport
located within major road/rail freight corridors
regional airports at Albion Park, Moruya and Merimbula
Port Kembla and Eden ports for sea freight options

Industries

The region is an industrial powerhouse. Its diversified economic base combines longstanding steel making, coal mining and agricultural industries with more recent manufacturing, engineering, tourism activities and knowledge based industries in ICT, business and financial services. The area also has extensive research and development capabilities for industry.

Mining

The region has a wealth of natural resources including coal and blue metal. Coal mining is a major economic activity within the area.

Steel

The region is the leading producer of steel and steel products, slab and plate as well as coated and welding products, in the South East Asian region.

Tourism

The region has a thriving tourism industry (4.1 million visitors to the South Coast and 3.8 million to the Illawarra regions in 2009/10) to its natural attractions, historical villages and events. The spectacular Grand Pacific Drive links Sydney to the region.

Manufacturing/Engineering

The region has a growing number of world class manufacturers. With expertise in advanced CAD/CAM and CNC technologies, the local engineering sector has the capabilities to tackle even the most complex projects. From fabricated metal products to medical devices, Illawarra/South Coast companies are recognised leaders in design, engineering, R&D and quality assurance.

Knowledge Services

The region is becoming recognised as a hub for knowledge based industries in ICT, business and financial services. This growth is supported by the UOW which has one of Australia’s largest IT schools.

Research

The region has a reputation as a centre for innovative research and development. This is led by the UOW that has a leading international profile in a range of key research fields including:

Future Materials: Nanotechnology, intelligent polymers, superconductors, battery technology and solar.
BioFutures: Medical bionics, biomechanicals, public health planning and administration, biomolecular science, smart foods and medical school.
Engineering Solutions: Precision manufacturing and intelligent mechatronics, electricity and power, sustainable resources, medical radiation physics and infrastructure.
ICT: Smart internet, wireless, computer security and digital rights management, data mining and electronic commerce.
Digital Media: Image and video coding, content based image and video retrieval, dense immersive communications environment, games technology, biometrics, telematics, animation, film and television.
Intelligence and Security: Transnational crime prevention, finance, international maritime security, forensic accounting, IT security and encryption.

The recently opened Innovation Campus in Wollongong provides opportunities for businesses to undertake collaborative research activities with the UOW and other Innovation Campus tenants.

Infrastructure

Transport

The port of Port Kembla is a multi-purpose port and a link to export markets for southern and south western New South Wales (NSW). The maximum dimension for ships entering Port Kembla Harbour is 300 metres or greater with harbour master approval. Major facilities at Port Kembla include a coal loader, grain terminal, and a new multi-purpose berth with associated ship loaders and rail access to both the inner and outer harbours. The port can also handle the movement of bulk liquids.

The port of Eden supports the growing seafood, timber products and support industries that help service the Bass Strait oil and gas fields.

Major education facilities

University of Wollongong
TAFE Illawarra
Internationally renowned private schools

Labour

The Kiama, Wollongong and Shellharbour combined labour force is approximately 130,000 (Small Area Labour Markets Australia June 2006) and the Illawarra region labour force is 181,000. However, there is a wider area, the Greater Illawarra Labour Market, which is defined as the area which is 35 minutes or less drive from Wollongong city. The Greater Illawarra Labour Market includes southern Sydney suburbs such as Sutherland and Hurstville and expands the labour force to around 1,300,000.

The region’s manufacturing and engineering workforce has a national reputation for excellence. Members of the workforce continually update their skills through technical education programs and are much sought after by manufacturing businesses throughout Australia. Coupled with these skills are increasing numbers of students entering the workforce who are qualified in informatics and business management.

Multilingual

The Wollongong area and its extended labour market have a highly multilingual population.
The Greater Illawarra Labour Market includes a population of about 60,000 people who speak key Asian languages.

For more information contact:

NSW Trade & Investment
Wollongong Office
Terrace Level, Crown Tower
200 Crown Street
PO Box 5106
Wollongong NSW 2520
Tel: (02) 4225 9055
Fax: (02) 4225 9056

or

NSW Trade & Investment
Nowra Office
57 Worrigee Street
PO Box 112
Nowra NSW 2541
Tel: (02) 4421 1000
Fax: (02) 4423 7957

Regional Development Australia - Illawarra
www.rdaillawarra.com.au
Tel: (02) 4227 4500

Regional Development Australia – South Coast
www.rdafsc.com.au
Tel: (02) 4422 9011

University of Wollongong - Innovation Campus
www.innovationcampus.com.au

University of Wollongong Research Strengths
www.uow.edu.au/research