There’s never any shortage of news in the Illawarra and 2025 was no different. Have a look back over the big stories of the year – you might be surprised at the most popular reads.
14. Fears NDIS cuts could see providers pull vital services from regional communities
by Keeli Dyson
Illawarra Disability Alliance representatives with advocate Kyle Montgomery (centre) and Wollongong City Councillor Kit Docker (far right). Photo: Supplied.
Disability advocates fear changes to the NDIS could see providers stop offering essential therapies.
From 1 July, therapists are only allowed to charge half of the therapy hourly rate for travel to home or school sessions, which could significantly reduce the income from and appeal of offering these services.
13. Meet the skilled young Illawarriors taking their trade to the national stage – and winning
by Dione David
Shaun Meinecke won gold in the Welding category, and may join the team showing the world what the Illawarra’s young workers are made of. Photo: TAFE NSW.
The future of Illawarra trades and services is in good hands – as the world will soon remember.
Of 14 TAFE students from the region who competed in WorldSkills Australia’s National Championships, several came home with medals and the prospect of a place in the WorldSkills International Competition in China.
12. How this South Coast school cut critical behaviour incidents by 90 per cent in just three years
by Kellie O’Brien
Novo Education Space’s CEO Natasha Osmond-Dreyer. Photo: Supplied.
While many schools are grappling with rising behavioural issues, Novo Education Space has achieved a remarkable almost 90 per cent reduction in critical incidents over the past three years.
Centred around a trauma-informed approach for students in Years 9-12 who struggle in traditional classrooms, the South Coast school has also dramatically cut vaping rates and seen its highest-ever number of Year 12 graduates — proving that the right support can change lives.
11. Dog access to Wollongong beaches is changing – here’s how
by Zoe Cartwright
There are some changes coming to off-leash dog beaches in Wollongong. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Dog access to Wollongong’s beaches will be consistent year-round under proposed changes.
Currently, beaches that operate under a timed arrangement are off-leash before 9 am and after 4 pm in winter and before 9 am and after 6 pm in summer.
Under a new proposal they will be off-leash before 9 am and after 5 pm year-round.
10. Port Kembla rezoning officially clears the way for new high-tech precinct
by Dione David
An artist’s impression of BlueScope’s proposed multi-industrial precinct. Photo: BlueScope.
A highly anticipated major land transformation at Port Kembla can finally begin, with the rezoning of 200 hectares of BlueScope’s non-operational land now finalised.
The key milestone paves the way for one of the region’s most significant redevelopment projects in decades, opening the site to new industries and long-term economic expansion.
9. ‘Not a hope in hell’ that planning reforms will solve Wollongong’s housing crisis, expert says
by Zoe Cartwright
An artist’s rendition of the proposed $500m WIN Grand development – just one example of state significant developments with infill affordable housing. Photo: Gyde.
The NSW Government’s plan to deliver more affordable housing by allowing developers to sidestep local council objections has “not a hope in hell” of solving the housing crisis, retired Wollongong planner David Winterbottom says.
After a swathe of changes to planning policies over the past 18 months, the government announced it would “remove unnecessary roadblocks to the delivery of more affordable homes in NSW with changes to the threshold for infill affordable housing projects being sent to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC)”.
The Infill Affordable Housing Bonus scheme was introduced in December 2023 and offers developers additional building height and floor space, if 10 per cent of the building is retained as affordable housing for at least 15 years.
8. Most Illawarra early education services score well in quality assessment, but some have work to do
by Keeli Dyson
St Luke’s Preschool is “exceeding” the national quality standards. Photo: Keeli Royle.
Many early education providers throughout the Illawarra have gone above and beyond in their care of children, boasting quality ratings among the highest in the state, but others are yet to meet the requirements of the national framework.
With an elaborate, shaded outdoor space, STEM, sensory and art programs and even a therapy dog on staff, St Luke’s Preschool in Dapto exudes excellence from first glance, and it has the paperwork to back it up.
The early education service is one of 52 out of 150 determined to be ‘exceeding’ the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s National Quality Standards in the Illawarra.
7. New red-light camera busts thousands of drivers in first months
by Zoe Cartwright
A couple of new cameras in the Illawarra have caught thousands of motorists red-handed. Photo: ACT Government.
A new red-light camera in Port Kembla has stung almost 3500 drivers since it was installed in October 2024.
The vast majority of drivers – 3320 – were busted speeding, but 101 were caught running the red light at the intersection of Five Islands Road and Flinders Street.
Those fines have netted the NSW Government almost three quarters of a million dollars.
6. The boom gates are up and Thirroul Plaza car park is now under management
by Dione David
The boom gates are operational at the Coles car park in Thirroul. Photo: Region.
Northern suburbs residents who frequent Thirroul Village have spotted a notable change to the Thirroul Plaza car park behind Coles.
Previously a free space, boom gates have now been installed in the popular car park, with the first hour and a half free and a flat rate of $10 charged per day thereafter. This clock ticks over at midnight each day.
5. Wollongong Hospital, train station precincts slated for drastic overhaul
by Zoe Cartwright
Wollongong Hospital director of nursing Matthew Lamey, NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully, NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park and Wollongong Hospital general manager Dr Elaine Pretorious. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
A plan that involves the radical redevelopment of Wollongong’s health precinct and train station surrounds is up for public consultation.
The NSW Government’s Draft Wollongong Health Precinct Strategy and the Wollongong Station Masterplan outline a long-term blueprint to guide the future development of the area.
The draft strategy aims to boost the hospital’s capacity, increase affordable housing and improve links between the hospital, train station and CBD.
4. Shellharbour airshow organisers pull out of popular event
by Keeli Dyson
Confidence remains that Airshows Downunder Shellharbour will still go ahead. Photo: Mark Jessop.
The organisers of Airshows Downunder Shellharbour have stepped away from the Illawarra’s popular aviation event just one month after announcing the dates for the 2026 show.
The AMDA Foundation took over operations of the event formerly known as Wings Over Illawarra in 2023 and hosted almost 13,000 attendees at the rebranded and first biennial Airshows Downunder Shellharbour in March last year.
3. Year-long closure of West Dapto Road starts this month
by Keeli Dyson
Residents are being told to prepare for a year-long closure of a major Dapto Road. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
A major upgrade to West Dapto Road will see the thoroughfare fully closed to through traffic until at least mid-next year with the potential for weather or unforeseen delays to push the reopening date back even further.
The next phase of works to improve the thoroughfare will focus on the stretch between Shone Avenue and Yard Street, and include the construction of stormwater drainage, a new shared path including pedestrian bridge, road pavements and the continuation of relocation of electrical and water services.
2. There are platypuses in Dapto – but for how long?
by Zoe Cartwright
Dr Justine O’Brien, of Taronga and Dr Gilad Bino and Dr Tahneal Hawke of UNSW were the first people to find a juvenile platypus in the Royal National Park for more than half a century. Photo: University of NSW.
Wollongong’s waterways are home to an elusive superstar – the platypus.
eDNA technology has found evidence of platypuses in Macquarie Rivulet, Reed Creek, Robins Creek and Mullet Creek, all around the Dapto area.
Researchers are excited about the discovery, as the most recent sighting of a platypus in the area was in 2019, and before that in 2006.
1. Impact of Kiama seaside markets on local businesses to be solved without council intervention
by Keeli Dyson
Councillors hope the issue can be resolved without intervention. Photo: Kiama Municipal Council.
Concerns about the impact Kiama’s iconic seaside markets are having on local businesses are not set to be resolved in council chambers, with councillors voting down a motion to further investigate the issue.
The monthly Sunday market has been criticised for driving customers away from Kiama’s main stretch, with some businesses offering similar goods and services reporting significant losses on market days.
