Illawarra First executive director Chris Lamont is being promoted to a new role in Canberra that will see him continue to push for major infrastructure projects for the region.
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A search has begun for a replacement immediately as Mr Lamont steps up the push to put infrastructure priorities for the region and the state on the radar ahead of the next Federal Election which may only be 15 months away.
Mr Lamont has spent the last year in Wollongong developing policy and advocating for key issues for the Illawarra. The NSW Business Chamber has recognised his energy, passion, professionalism, skills and experience and promoted him to a position representing NSW and the Illawarra at the Federal Government level in Canberra.
Illawarra Regional Advisory Council president Janine Cullen said his efforts have not only seen membership grow but raised community and government awareness of key priorities for the region. And provided a sense of direction.
Ms Cullen said he knew the right doors to knock on because Mr Lamont had previously worked as a chief-of-staff and senior adviser to a Federal minister and has held senior executive roles with business, government and industry associations.
“He also has strong relationships with both government and shadow ministers and is well versed in the workings of the Federal bureaucracy,” she said.
Mr Lamont will represent NSW as an adviser in the key areas of defence, industry and infrastructure .
“To be honest I don’t see it as leaving,” he said.
“On a lot of the big projects, particularly with Illawarra First, there is no point spending any more time on convincing people who are already convinced of the need to invest in this region. We need to take the argument to both Macquarie Street and Canberra.”
Mr Lamont said his new role came at an important time when the National Rail Program, Blackspot Funding and important issues for small business were a;; being looked at.
“The NSW Business Chamber has taken the view that NSW is the largest state economy now in Australia so we should have a voice at the table in Canberra. And the intention is I continue to come back and provide advice to Illawarra First”
“I really do want to do that. We have set this up and there is genuinely a coalition of the willing now who realise the real key is these big picture issues connecting us to Western Sydney and promoting the region abroad. There is a real appetite for that to continue.”
Maldon-Dombarton now referred to as South West Illawarra Rail Line (SWIRL) is still high on the agenda. As is getting better train connectivity to central, west and southwest Sydney.
Mr Lamont said addressing youth unemployment issues was also really important and improvements to public transport was a key to that.
“We have pockets of youth unemployment across the Illawarra of 24 per cent. We need to connect them to employment centres and we need to do more in the public transport area. Because even if they did get a first job the expense of commuting by private motor vehicle every day is just too great. We need to get a more effective and a more equitable public transport system to engage these youth in work.”
Mr Lamont would like to see more done with the port at Port Kembla.
“It is a great asset. We need to look at more investment there. And NSW Ports are certainly looking to the future,” he said.
“There is also potential in this region to be an ongoing centre of education excellence. Having spent 12 months here I think there are so many opportunities. Plus it is a great place to live.”
Looking back on his 12 months he said fondest memories would be how welcoming and inclusive people are. And how willing everyone is to look at things differently. And how keen they are to hear an outsider]s view.
“Ultimately I have never seen so much passion within a particular region. And a real parochialism which I think is a great thing,” he said.
Ms Cullen said Mr Lamont had done such a great job in Wollongong she was sad he won’t be in the Illawarra First office every day.
“But for the greater good he is going to go and fight for the big things we want,” she said.
“He is going to go and knock on the doors of power in Canberra and Sydney and will have a lot more clout in his new position.”
Ms Cullen said the timing was good. In recent months the NSW and Federal Governments have announced a number of multi-billion dollar programs to deliver major infrastructure in addition to the more than $195 billion in new Defence capability.
“It is essential that NSW, and the Illawarra, are represented in respect to these opportunities as well as other major federal initiatives and policy considerations,” she said.
Ms Cullen said with the next Federal Election looming as early as September 2018 the NSW Business Chamber and Illawarra First were aware of the importance of having an even closer working relationship with the Federal Government, Opposition and members of the crossbench.