The draft plan is the next stage in the NSW Planning Department's efforts to develop a vision and framework for the region's direction through to 2031.

Councillors voted to send a highly critical submission to the plan put together by council staff.

The submission said the draft plan "does not set a long-term visionary strategy for the region" nor a "new direction".

It also highlighted the plan's failure to identify any infrastructure projects not already under way or planned.

"The draft plan largely reflects the existing commitments of the state government including existing state budget allocations," the submission read.

At Monday night's meeting, Cr David Brown said the lack of any plans that "extend out to the 20-year timeline" was concerning.

Cr Brown was also worried about the draft plan's focus on the "northern growth corridor" - a reference to the area along the train line between Fairy Meadow and Thirroul.

He felt by accepting the idea of the northern growth corridor, it might be solidifying an image of the Illawarra as a dormitory region of Sydney.

Cr Chris Connor labelled the government's draft plan as "light on, a little short-sighted and narrow and lacking in vision".

He was not happy an entrance to the University of Wollongong from the M1 wasn't included, nor a real commitment to increase the amount of coal transported by rail rather than road.

Greens councillor George Takacs was one of two who voted against the submission - but only because it wasn't critical enough.

He said it was: "a fatally flawed document".