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City of Wollongong

Working Wollongong’s regional advantage

Tuesday 29 March 2022

Wollongong’s status as a world-class city for work, play and international events will be celebrated at a targeted event at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday 30 March.

The event is being coordinated by Invest Wollongong (a partnership between Wollongong City Council, the NSW Department of Regional NSW, and the University of Wollongong), Destination Wollongong and Wollongong 2022 – the organising committee of the UCI Road World Championships.

Over a two-hour window, the event will highlight the city’s ongoing transformation as an enviable business base that offers a supportive and engaged business environment, close connection to Sydney and work-life balance for employees.

There will be presentations about emerging business and tourism opportunities, and a keynote address by Dean Dalla Valle, the Chair of Wollongong 2022.

“This provides us the opportunity to pitch and celebrate the diversity of what Wollongong has to offer outside our city itself. This is a significant opportunity for Wollongong to add to the UCI Bike City label and promote the many advantages of living and doing business in the ‘Gong,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“In light of changes to work post-COVID-19, we believe Wollongong is perfectly positioned for business. The significant uplift in new A-grade office stock in the Wollongong CBD offers a range of opportunities, whether establishing a new corporate HQ, satellite office or work hub to provide flexible work options for staff.

“This Council is committed to jobs growth, the ongoing development of our thriving professional services and tech sectors and start up community. Wollongong is already making its mark by becoming the first city in Australia to be home to a hydrogen-powered heavy vehicle that is expected to be working by mid-year, and Energy Australia’s Tallawarra B power station is implementing a gas/hydrogen-powered turbine, another first-of-its-kind in Australia.

“While Wollongong’s residents know the benefits of living and working here, we also need to widen the scope. By pitching to Sydney-based businesses and highlighting our attractions, we’re able to continue our positive growth and development and that, in turn, improves the lifestyle and opportunities of our residents. We are showcasing Wollongong to those who want to make a unique and solid business investment.’’

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle will be joined for a panel discussion by Destination Wollongong Chair Tania Brown and University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Patricia Davidson.

Chair of Wollongong 2022 Dean Dalla Valle will also speak about the UCI Road World Championships, which brings the world’s top cyclists as well as enthusiastic spectators to the city and the attention of a global audience between 18-25 September.

“This is such an exciting time for our city and we’re ready to make an impact on the world stage and to build on our recognition and status as a UCI Bike City,’’ Mr Doyle said.

“Working with the University of Wollongong, Destination Wollongong and our other Invest Wollongong Partners we have a very exciting opportunity to embark on a new chapter in our city’s history and to move the narrative of the city’s birth and development on from the steel city story.

“We’re really seeing a shift in Wollongong and the post-COVID working environment provides us with an exciting opportunity to pitch the city as a place to grow and be recognised as viable alternative to Sydney. We’ve a 75 per cent uplift in A-grade office developments and this is a significant drawcard to those considering new bases and ways of operating.

“Events like this give us a valuable opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with those who have influence in a wide range of sectors.’’

Note: Media are welcome to attend this event and can register their attendance by emailing ed@wollongong.nsw.gov.au before 2pm on Wednesday 30 March 2022.


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