It highlights the ‘‘Wollongong Centre’’ as having the potential to ‘‘transform the region’’.

The Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan will be released by the government at midday on Thursday.

It forms part of the draft plan to develop a strategy for the growth of the Illawarra, which is predicted to see a population increase of 65,050 by 2031.

That increase will, according to the plan, mean 32,150 new jobs need to be created and 45,000 new homes will need to be built.

The plan says it will be crucial to grow the economy and the private sector will be the source of many of the jobs of the future.

It also identifies the ‘‘Wollongong Centre’’ as one of ‘‘six big initiatives’’ that can change the region for the better.

This ‘‘centre’’ includes the CBD, the hospital and the ‘‘education corridor’’ of the University of Wollongong and Innovation Campus.

‘‘There is already a lot of development that is or has occurred in the Wollongong Centre,’’ the plan states.

‘‘By building on this activity, Wollongong Centre can transform the region, driving economic growth through its strong commercial and retail functions, expanding its innovation, research and development and entrepreneurship activity, in addition to providing a greater range of much-needed affordable housing choices.’’

Another of the ‘‘Big Six’’ is the northern corridor, which could further capitalise on ‘‘its access to global jobs in Sydney’’ and as a provider of high-density housing.

As expected, the Port Kembla port is another of the Big Six, which will provide ‘‘potential for new industry to locate in the region’’ according to the plan. However, it recognises suitable transport corridors are crucial to the port.

In terms of providing the extra housing needed by 2031, the plan identifies a greenfield area to the west of Lake Illawarra as being able to cater for 27,000 new dwellings — more than half of the 45,000 required.

Nowra Centre and the Shoalhaven defence bases are also listed among the Big Six development areas to help transform the Illawarra.

The draft plan is the result of three months of consultation which began in August last year with the release of the discussion paper The Illawarra Over The Next 20 Years.

The discussion paper focused on five key areas – housing, employment and economy, infrastructure, environment and transport.

The public consultation included more than 100 written submissions, including one from each of the five councils, more than 300 residents completing community surveys and Facebook posts, online forums and community meetings.

Following Thursday’s release, people will be able to make submissions on it until December 7  to shape the  final Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan.