Greg Doyle, who was acting in the role since the resignation of predecessor David Farmer in February, was appointed to the role after a rigorous recruitment process.

Mr Doyle said he was honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the council for the next four years.

He said the council had three keys areas of focus.

"People are interested in infrastructure," he said. "They want to know about roads, their footpaths and cycleways. Those are the projects the council is focusing on delivering.

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"Economic development and where the city is going is important to me and the council. We need to look at how we take advantage of economic opportunities for the city. The other issue is our environmental sustainability and the impact climate change has on our city and assets.

"Underpinned by those is our continued financial and governance diligence. We need to make sure council has the money and resources to achieve projects, and we will do that with the highest of business ethics."

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said Mr Doyle meet the selection criteria and impressed the interview panel and all councillors.

"We sort high and low for the appropriate person and it turns out he was in our midsts," he said.

"Greg satisfied the criteria with his performance in the interview, and his talents and abilities shone through.

"He was skilled, articulate, presented his vision for the city and met the requirements of the interview committee. The process was rigorous and scrutinized."

Cr Bradbery said he was excited to work with Mr Doyle's because of his enthusiasm for the job and Wollongong.

"Now the council needs someone who has an enthusiasm, is at an appropriate age and experience to lead the council forward and to explore other options for the what council can do in its business and to address the needs of the community," he said.

"There were 32 candidates and they were from all around Australia. Greg was up there above the rest and he is a local boy and that is encouraging...and says a lot about Wollongong city."

Mr Doyle previously held the position of corporate and community services director and the infrastructure and works director since 2016.

"I have an exceptional executive team and a broader leadership team that shares the vision of council, the enthusiasm and a can-do perspective," he said. "I am really passionate about Wollongong and where we are headed."

Mr Doyle said the future looked bright for Wollongong, especially for its tourism events.

"We now have a reputation to deliver big events," Mr Doyle said.

"We have been investing in our tourism assets such the Grand Pacific Walk, our surf clubs and other facilities that will support the World Road Cycling Championships and 3 Festival, and some other potential events that could have a world-wide audience," he said.

Mr Doyle added he and the council team were committed to working with the state government and community to alleviate their concerns about over development and to provide a variety of housing types.