Therefore, an event in Wollongong on Friday discussed how to build a more liveable and prosperous region via measures such as better planning, infrastructure and investment in local tourism. 

‘Illawarra Outlook’ was hosted by the Property Council at Villa D'oro. 

There was a panel discussion, featuring speakers including Tim Blythe, managing partner of Urbis; Philip Davies, chair, SMART Advisory Council and Australian Logistics Council partner at Deloitte; Anna Chubb, strategy director of Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation; and Gary White, chief planner at the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. 

One of the key topics raised was transport connectivity to Sydney and the future Western Sydney Airport from the Illawarra.

Mr Blythe noted that 20 per cent of Wollongong workers commute outside the region, mainly to Sydney. 

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"There is still some good regional employment growth in the area, but there's always going to be a component of it (employment) that is outside of the region," he said. 

"So how do we actually improve that experience? That's because the problem with it is, as it's such a long commute, it's actually not sustainable long-term.

"Ideally, it's the type of environment in my mind where you want a strong local base, but accept that you're part of a broader economy.

"The success of this region will be because it's better connected in terms of transport, but also in terms of economic and employment opportunities."

Mr Davies said another key aspect of connectivity was "around freight and the movement of freight, with a port here on our doorstep". 

"(It's important) to make the best use of one of the great assets we have here, which is Port Kembla," he said.

"What's the future of the port, and how can we leverage that port which has great connectivity in itself to the rest of the world?"

Panellists were also asked what they believed the Illawarra's pitch to the "outside world" should be, in order to encourage more investment from private sector or governments. 

Mr Blythe said Wollongong "punched above its weight" in terms of its tertiary sector.

"This is an attractor to overseas talent, which is driving the economy locally, and is also creating a brand in Wollongong around high-quality education which is being sought after overseas," he said. 

Mr Davies said the region needed to make the most of the natural assets that it already has which make it a great tourist destination.

"Also the economic assets in terms of the port, and then the proximity to Sydney and what's going to be happening in Western Sydney," he told the Mercury. 

"This is a great place to live and work, and the opportunity is there to build on the great things that have already been done."

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