The first two weeks of January at the family run zoo near Helensburgh and Stanwell Tops were almost a record for the northern Illawarra attraction, between two major markets in Wollongong and Sutherland.

General manager Matt Radnidge and managing director John Radnidge said the reptile house with its Australiana theme and more than 20 new exhibits had been an enormous drawcard.

"A lot of people have been commenting on the reptile house on social media and telling all their Facebook friends about it," Matt Radnidge said.

And that was driving even more business.

Top tips for 2015

The IMB is celebrating 135 years in 2015 and as part of those celebrations, IMB Business Banking has released 10 tips for the year ahead.

IMB Business Banking's clients include small-to-medium-sized enterprises from the ACT to the Far South Coast, Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Sydney. It also has a new business banking relationship manager in Wollongong.

Stewart Murphy has experience helping small-to-medium companies grow.

His 10 tips to help maximise profits include reviewing finances for the past two years. He said planning for the year could not be accurate unless you knew where your money went.

Share plans with your bank manager, particularly if you will need additional funds or if you are considering changes.

If you have regular suppliers, review their fees.

Market rates change depending on the economy so it is important to learn how to bargain.

Every month, double-check bank statements and credit card expenditure for mistakes.

Have a reliable filing system.

Check your insurances.

Understand and abide by the ATO rules and regulations for your business sector.

Talk to your bank manager immediately if you find yourself in difficulty.

Have a good accountant.

And schedule time out.

Wollongong branch

A national commercial painting and maintenance company with branches across Australia and New Zealand has opened a Wollongong branch over the Christmas and New Year period.

Higgins employs about 900 trades people nationally and has identified the Illawarra as a growth corridor.

National marketing manager Robert Loncar said the company had been responsible for painting some of Australia's most renowned landmarks.

Investment lead

The Property Council's next Illawarra Outlook Lunch on February 11 will look at how Wollongong has been leading unprecedented property investment.

Recognising more than $750 million in recent projects boosting retail, commercial and residential space in the city and further investment across the region, the council wants to look at what is in store for 2015.

The presenter is MMJ director Michael Croghan and panelists include Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, Member for Kiama Gareth Ward, NSW Ports Strategy, Planning and Infrastructure executive general manager Marika Calfas, and Lend Lease NSW/ACT Communities regional development manager Brett Summers. The moderator will be the Property Council of Australia's NSW executive director, Glenn Byres.

Submissions due

The Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) has informed its members that Roads and Maritime Services has opened an Expression of Interest window for companies interested in bidding for work to remove and dispose of the wave generation machine at Port Kembla.

The removal of the generator, off Coniston Beach, will be a two-stage process. The present request is for the first stage.

Submissions close at 2.30pm on January 28 and after their evaluation, selected organisations will be invited to submit a tender.

Return to 1986

The Wollongong Hawks are winding back the clock as part of the NBL's annual heritage week when they return to the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday for game two of a double-header against the Adelaide 36ers.

In 1986, teams feared any game at the "Snakepit" and the Hawks are hoping for the same sentiment when the 36ers walk on to the court this week. The team will wear the same iconic red pinstripe strip they wore in 1986.

Tickets are $19.86 for adults and $8.60 for children.

Meetings resume

A networking lunch is being held in the Dapto Leagues Club dining area on February 12.

The meetings, run by the Dapto Chamber of Commerce, have become a regular event for businesses in Dapto.

Meanwhile, the first chamber meeting for 2015 is scheduled for February 4 and will also be held at Dapto Leagues Club.

Successful year

The Illawarra Academy of Sport reports 2014 was a fantastic year with 149 athletes graduating from 10 sports programs spread across 22 sports.