The Wollongong information technology entrepeneur said the city should better promote itself as a cheaper business location to Sydney as some of the world's biggest companies look to relocate their support staff.

"We should be knocking on the door at PricewaterhouseCoopers and the CSIRO and asking them why they don't have a presence in Wollongong," he said.

"We should be saying to these types of companies, 'keep your head office in Sydney, but why not move back office and support staff, and your logistics and accounting teams to Wollongong?'

"I don't think we've taken those type of bold opportunities - definitely not collectively in a structured, systematic approach - and that's what we need to do."

Mr Deliseo plans to take his bold strategy to the council as part of his role on the newly-formed economic development advisory board.

The appointments of Mr Deliseo, Port Kembla Port Corporation boss Dom Figliomeni, University of Wollongong representative Chris Grange, Illawarra Business Chamber chief executive officer Mike Leask, Property Council chair David Laing, Australian Industry Group's Leanne Grogan and former managing director of business law firm DLA Phillips Fox Brian Smith - an Illawarra resident - to the advocacy board are expected to be endorsed at tonight's city council meeting.

Councillors Gordon Bradbery, Michelle Blicavs, Ann Martin, Leigh Colacino and Greg Petty will also sit on the board.

It will be responsible for trying to attract business to Wollongong, lobbying the Government for investment in the region and preparing strategic growth plans for the city's economy.

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