The port of Port Kembla could be the Illawarra's answer to the Western Sydney Airport and help the region grow and prosper, an expert says.
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The Property Council Illawarra hosted the 'Wollongong City Deal - Where to From Here?' event in Wollongong on Friday.
City Deals are a partnership between the three levels of government and the community, with an aim "to work towards a shared vision for productive and liveable cities".
There are currently nine in place throughout the country, including in Western Sydney, but there isn't one yet for the Illawarra.
One of the speakers on Friday was William Power, NSW deputy executive director for the Property Council.
He said the key to a City Deal was based in an equity approach, to "ensure more people get access to more things".
"A City Deal is about growing the pie," he said.
"At the moment a lot of growth - population growth, economic growth - is centred in our CBDs.
"A City Deal is about expanding that into other regions... It's about ensuring that people get the right jobs in the region, they don't have to travel too far for work, that they have access to the right schools and universities, and can also access affordable homes."
Mr Power said the port of Port Kembla was a key infrastructure asset for the region going forward.
"It's really Wollongong's (answer to) Western Sydney airport," he said.
"How can we leverage the growth there, and also Wollongong University?
"There's a world-class university sitting here in Wollongong, that should be a central part of any City Deal - educating the people here, and ensuring they not only live here, but also work locally."
Mr Power noted that there "are only so many City Deals that the federal government has to hand around".
"But what Wollongong has got going for it is a strong university, strong investment here already, and strong population growth," he said.
"And what is forming now is a local leadership to lead the process for a City Deal.
"As long as that's all in line and we're working towards the same goal, then I think a City Deal for Wollongong could be a reality within the short to medium term."
The 20-year Western Sydney City Deal, announced in 2016 and signed in 2018, is a partnership between the federal government, NSW Government and several local governments.
The Western Sydney City Deal includes delivering the North South Rail Link; creating 200,000 jobs by "supercharging" the Aerotropolis and agribusiness precinct; and a $150 million Liveability Program.
One of the other speakers on Friday was Geoff Roberts, deputy chief commissioner - Greater Sydney Commission and chief coordinator for the Western Sydney City Deal.
Mr Roberts said while he wasn't in a position to endorse a City Deal for Wollongong, he said the Illawarra could potentially take lessons from Western Sydney in helping secure one.
"Western Sydney used the Western Sydney Airport as its catalyser," he said. "What's your catalyser?
"I don't think it should be called the Wollongong City Deal either - if it's a regional City Deal, it should be called the Illawarra City Deal."
Mr Roberts said it was important that the region's councils were on the same page in this instance.
"You're much stronger if you act as a co-ordinated team," he said.
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