Could this be the beating heart of Wollongong’s next economic transformation? An artist’s impression of BlueScope’s proposed multi-industrial precinct. Photos: BlueScope.
An industrial land transformation the size of the Sydney CBD is the cornerstone of Wollongong’s big pitch to investors.
Invest Wollongong has launched its 2026 prospectus, and the December 2025 approval of BlueScope’s proposal to rezone 200 hectares of non-operational land adjacent to the Port Kembla Steelworks is at the forefront of the opportunities the region offers.
Previously limited to heavy industrial activities associated with steelmaking, the new Special Purpose zoning opens the door to education precincts, technology hubs, creative industries, recreation areas, and supporting commercial and community infrastructure, with the potential to create 20,000 new jobs.
One of those new hubs could be Sicona Battery Technologies, a start-up from the University of Wollongong’s iAccelerate.
Sicona has entered into an exclusivity arrangement with BlueScope to speed up Sicona’s plans to construct a flagship demonstration plant for advanced battery materials manufacturing here in the Illawarra.
BlueScope has approved more than $2 billion worth of major manufacturing projects that will deliver significant investment and growth in domestic manufacturing and product and service innovation.
Planning authorities say the scale of the project marks one of the largest planned land transitions globally, reshaping a site that has been central to Illawarra’s industrial identity for nearly a century.
Work will continue on more detailed precinct plans with the potential for applications to proceed for certain types of developments in the precinct from 2026.
The extra employment opportunities will be much-needed.
Projections in the prospectus estimate the 700,000-strong Wollongong workforce will grow significantly over the next 15 years, with an extra 130,000 residents expected to call the region home by 2041.
Planning documents indicate the Port Kembla Land Transformation Precinct could eventually support up to 20,000 jobs, in addition to the more than 10,000 people currently employed through BlueScope’s steelworks operations.
Advanced manufacturing, defence procurement, the screen industry, tourism, education, clean energy and tech were all touted as growing industries for the area.
The final plan received strong community support during public exhibition, with 90 per cent of 209 submissions backing the transformation and highlighting the potential benefits for jobs, investment and improved transport links.
While the redevelopment will introduce new industries to the area, existing steelmaking and port operations will continue unaffected.
The precinct’s design leverages existing transport and infrastructure assets while gradually opening pockets of land for staged development.
It’s a far cry from Wollongong’s humble roots as a mining and steel manufacturing city, even after the growth of UOW diversified the local economy.
Wollongong City Council hopes this diversity of industry and the lifestyle opportunities Wollongong offers will be enough to entice more businesses to call the city home.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the prospectus reflected a city ready to seize new economic opportunities.
“Wollongong is a city on the rise,” she said.
“We are seeing unprecedented investment, new industries emerging, and a community benefiting from thoughtful, strategic planning.
“This prospectus captures our momentum and the opportunities ahead for businesses.”
