NOVEMBER 2022 - NEWSLETTER

Illawarra-Shoalhaven Greater Cities Partnership Launched

The Illawarra-Shoalhaven Greater Cities Partnership Prospectus was launched on 11 October and aims to deliver more than 12,000 jobs during the next decade while delivering transformative and aspirational projects worth $1.9 billion.

The prospectus has been two years in development and builds on the successful 2020 Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal which attracted more than $470 million in funding to progress crucial regional projects.

Spanning the four local government areas of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven, the partnership unites twelve organisations to drive the narrative - RDA Illawarra, Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, University of Wollongong, Property Council, SMART Infrastructure Facility, RDA Far South Coast, Business Illawarra and UDIA.

Key projects targeted in the prospectus include:

• Port Kembla Industrial Precinct
• Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
• Marine Tourism Precinct
• Illawarra Sports and Entertainment Precinct
• Picton Road Duplication
• South-West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL)
• Marine Tourism Highway (Blue Highway)
• 30-minute City – Public Transport
• M1 Southern Access
   

Leadership Illawarra Program celebrates 10 years 

The Leadership Illawarra Program celebrated 10 years on 10 October with alumni, current participants and program partners. In the last 10 years the two-year experiential learning program has supported 101 participants aged from 26 to 59 years, with 59 percent of participants being female. 

As well as celebrating 10 years, the Leadership Illawarra Program will complete its 5th cohort in December. A new two-year cohort will begin in February 2023. Applications for this program have now closed and scholarships are currently being assessed. Watch this space for the announcement of the successful scholarship recipients.

Follow the LIP Facebook and LinkedIn pages for regular updates on the program.

City Commissioner Illawarra-Shoalhaven Jacki Johnson shares her Six Cities Vision

Congratulations to Jacki Johnson, our new City Commissioner for the Illawarra Shoalhaven.  Joanna Kubota (Deputy Chair RDA Illawarra) and Debra Murphy (CEO) had the opportunity to hear Jacki speak at The Illawarra Connection dinner about our exciting long term future under the Six Cities. 

RDA Illawarra have made a submission to the Discussion Paper here.  Learn more about the Six Cities Region here.

Sustainability Advantage program expands into Illawarra-Shoalhaven 

The NSW Government’s business support program Sustainability Advantage assists organisations to become sustainability leaders by:

• supporting organisations to embed sustainability into everyday practices
• inspiring confidence in organisations to set ambitious public commitments for sustainability
• facilitating networks and safe spaces for professionals to openly share problems, exchange ideas and enable innovative solutions
• connecting businesses with resources and experts to provide information and advice

The program focuses on four pillars – Net Zero Emissions, Circular Economy, Nature Positive and the Sustainable Development Goals. The program is expanding its membership in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region and wants to connect with medium and large businesses.

Please contact Heidi Robertson heidi.robertson@environment.nsw.gov.au to find out more and arrange a meeting with a sustainability advisor.

Free online recruitment masterclass series

RDA Orana, in partnership with Tracey Parsons of Parsons Strategic Consulting are hosting a four part webinar series during NSW Small Business Month and invite Illawarra businesses to join the sessions.

Session and registration details are below:

Session 1: 8 November 5:30pm - the current state of the labour market including new research on candidate needs and wants.

Session 2: 18 November 5:30pm - additional candidate insights that will help your organisation attract talent from outside your region.

Session 3: 22 November 5:30pm - barriers and how we need to overcome those barriers with content, communication, and reflection of how we are connecting and communicating with talent today.

Session 4: 29 November 5:30pm - a model that will help your organisation be more effective and efficient in the recruitment of talent designed to save money and time.

Innovate with nbn Grants Program now open

Applications are now open for the latest round of the Innovate with nbn Grants Program which supports individuals, businesses and organisations across regional and remote Australia to take their technology-led ideas to the next level.

This year the Innovate with nbn Grants Program offers seven specific categories and an overall Champion award: 

• Women in Regional Business
• Health
• Arts
• Education
• Agriculture
• Tourism
• Indigenous Business

Applications close 20 November 2022.

Healthy Cities Illawarra More Than A Cyclist campaign

More Than A Cyclist Illawarra is a social campaign from Healthy Cities Illawarra that asks followers to get involved and re-share social media posts in order to reach those beyond the cycling community.

Help change perceptions and save lives by supporting the campaign. Follow and share content  and use the hashtags #WeAreMoreThanACyclistIllawarra and #MoreThanACyclist.