July 12, 2024

Connecting Illawarra and South West Sydney the next gamechanger

‘Wollongong and The West’ policy paper explores the opportunities for both regions in a strategic alignment

Strengthening the freight connections between Port Kembla and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will link two of the state’s global gateways and open up a new world of industry, and economic opportunities, according to a new report released by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue (Dialogue).

Launched today at the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Innovation Campus, the ‘Wollongong and The West’ policy paper, which explores the strategic alignment between South West Sydney and the Illawarra, calls for the State and Federal Governments to jointly fund a business case for the Macarthur-Kembla Link, a dual-track freight and passenger rail line to connect to Port Kembla into the Aerotropolis.  

When coupled with the future Western Sydney Freight Line, the link will ensure the city-regions’ global gateways, Port Kembla, Moorebank Intermodal and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, are merged into the national freight rail network, opening the door for new industry opportunities, improving productivity and preventing years of freight bottlenecks that could cost the state $1 billion a year in losses.  

The report also recommends an adjoining passenger line, capable of connecting workers from Wollongong into Sydney’s train network in 20 minutes to take advantage of tertiary education opportunities and improve access to jobs in research, defence, health, and advanced manufacturing.  

"This is a nationally significant zone at the centre of a booming population which needs to be connected to the country's future job centres and critical pieces of economic infrastructure, such as the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, National Intermodal and Port Kembla,” Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto, said.

"Both the Illawarra and South West Sydney share a number of existing synergies, but if we can look at ways to strengthen the connections between the two regions, then a new world of economic opportunity could be unlocked.  

“It’s not just about moving people, but moving industry, and rail connections can catalyse the next generation of jobs in a region where things are made and where future economic growth lies.”

UOW Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Professor John Dewar AO said the University is proud to support the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue to shine a light on potential economic opportunities for the Illawarra and the South-West Sydney communities.

“UOW is deeply embedded in the Illawarra community and is increasingly strengthening its presence in South Western Sydney, through our Liverpool Campus,” Professor Dewar said.

“The University will continue to play a critical role in catalysing economic and social growth and fostering stronger community and industry connections across our two regions.”

The three crucial 'Game Changers’ identified in the Wollongong & The West Discussion Paper include:  

• State and Federal Government elevating land use and transport planning for the Illawarra and South West Sydney.
• Funding a business case for the Macarthur-Kembla Link, connecting Port Kembla to Western Sydney Aerotropolis and the National Intermodal Terminal at Moorebank via the Southern Sydney Freight Rail Line.
• Transporting workers from the Illawarra to South West Sydney in 20 minutes by ensuring the Macarthur Kembla Link has passenger capability.

The seven ‘Strategic Opportunities’ identified in the report for government and regional stakeholders to capitalise on to strengthen the economic power of the two regions include: 

• Transport for NSW to prioritise the region and take a holistic approach to its strategic vision and planning for the critical links between the Illawarra and South West Sydney.
• A strategic partnership to be developed between the CSIRO’s future Aerospace Institute (to be located at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis) and the Illawarra’s existing defense and defense technology cluster.
• BlueScope Steel’s Master Plan for Port Kembla to provide opportunity to grow jobs, skill workers in key industries, increase green steel output and contribute to economic growth.
• Increased State and Federal focus on and funding for strategic policies that grow renewable energy capacity to support the state’s transition to renewable energy.
• Fast-track planning and delivery of the Outer Sydney Orbital by the NSW Government and supported by the Federal Government.
• Ongoing support and focus maintained for the completion of the Picton Road and Mt Ousley Interchange upgrade.
• Support the delivery of high-speed rail via Greater Western Sydney, including the determination of the stage 1 route and stations by the end of 2024.

^{Pictured above: UOW Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar, NSW Minister for Planning & Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong the Hon. Paul Scully MP, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue CEO Adam Leto and Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren MP.}