The Property Council says the upcoming 2026–27 State Budget must prioritise major transport upgrades across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
The Property Council of Australia is urging the NSW Government to invest in major transport upgrades across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, warning the region’s housing growth and economic potential could stall without better roads, freight links and public transport.
Illawarra and Shoalhaven regional director Matthew Wales said the upcoming 2026–27 State Budget must prioritise key connectivity projects to ease congestion, unlock new housing supply and strengthen the region’s role as a gateway for trade and jobs.
Mr Wales made the call ahead of the region’s flagship start-of-year property forum – the Property Council Illawarra Outlook – being held Wednesday 18 March at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong.
“The Illawarra region’s growth and economic transition will stall without targeted investment in roads, freight links and public transport,” Mr Wales said.
“Our region is growing fast and diversifying, but people and freight still get stuck – that’s a productivity hit, and it puts a brake on new housing.”
The Property Council’s budget submission calls on the NSW Government to prioritise funding for major road upgrades, including Picton Road, and investment in freight and road links to Port Kembla.
It also calls for more frequent and reliable train and bus services, particularly during peak times, and a business case and planning work for a fast connection to Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport.
Mr Wales said the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, anchored by Wollongong and supported by Shellharbour and Nowra, was now a more complex economic hub with strengths within education and research, advanced manufacturing, defence, health and professional services.
“The 2025–26 Budget recognised the Illawarra’s potential,” he said.
“The 2026–27 Budget needs to keep up with the pace of growth and the shift underway in the local economy.”
Within the submission, the council is also calling for dedicated funding to accelerate the activation of employment precincts across the region to attract new investment and support job creation in advanced manufacturing, clean energy and technology.
It will complement the work of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority by making regional precincts ready to capture new investment opportunities.
“Getting precincts investment-ready and improving transport links go together,” Mr Wales said.
“Do both, and the Illawarra can take pressure off Sydney, lift productivity and support more homes and more local jobs.”
The Property Council’s Illawarra Outlook on Wednesday will bring together industry leaders, government, and regional stakeholders to explore the economic and jobs outlook, the game-changing potential of the Port Kembla plan, and the potential for the region offered by clean energy innovation.
Along with the NSW Government’s budget announcement, it will also look at the release of Wollongong City Council’s new Economic Development Strategy and what it mean for the Illawarra.
Speakers include Ty Christopher from the University of Wollongong, Jennifer Macquarie from Fountaindale Group of Companies, Linda Davis from Wollongong City Council, and Lorri Field from PDC Law.
Illawarra Outlook will be held at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on 18 March from noon to 2 pm.
