Port Kembla gets $5m revitalisation promise

Wollongong MP Noreen Hay met Wentworth Street business owners and residents on Thursday, outlining her plan to propel the community into the future.

The $5 million boost would come as a slice of Labor's Illawarra Infrastructure Investment Fund, established to ensure half the proceeds from the long-term lease of the port were returned to the region.

"My wish-list, the three things I asked for from day one once we accepted the port was gone, was easy-access lifts at Unanderra, a convention centre as part of an extension of the Wollongong Entertainment Centre and a revitalisation of Port Kembla fund," Ms Hay said.

"This is the Noreen Hay trifecta ... that's not to say the trifecta is the end, it's only the first race. I intend to lobby for more and more in my electorate."

Ms Hay said she would be guided by a committee on how best to spend the money.

Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce member Ian Fulford said residents weren't happy with the money returned to the region following the privatisation of the port.

"We're the backbone of the Illawarra ... and we got nothing," Mr Fulford said. "Our infrastructure is falling apart."

Owner of Bowdens Discount Chemist, Hany Barsoum, agreed the suburb had been neglected.

"Many people you talk to in the streets here tell you it's not how we would like it to be," Mr Barsoum said.

"Business people are working very hard to try to revitalise the street and hopefully, the $5 million will mean good things for the little town here."