RDA Illawarra leverages a collaborative regional culture and works with various stakeholders to implement innovative solutions.
Illawarra Peak Bodies
Illawarra Peak Bodies is a collaborative between Destination Wollongong, Illawarra Business Chamber, Property Council Australia, Ai Group, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and RDA Illawarra.
The peak industry bodies meet quarterly to discuss key economic priorities and issues that are facing the region. RDA Illawarra convenes this collaborative.
City Deals and Regional Deals
City Deals and Regional Deals provide a vehicle for collaborative investment by all three levels of government and other parties. They enable a way to drive an agreed program of initiatives for long term growth and development.
RDA Illawarra convenes a Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Deal collaborative, which includes the Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour City Council, Shoalhaven Council, Illawarra Business Chamber, University of Wollongong, SMART Infrastructure Facility and other key stakeholders.
Invest Wollongong
Invest Wollongong is a partnership between the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Wollongong City Council and the University of Wollongong. Invest Wollongong partners work together to assist new businesses and investors interested in Wollongong. Read the 2023 Wollongong Investment Prospectus
here.
Destination Sydney Surrounds South (DSSS)
Destination Sydney Surrounds South zone encompasses 6 local government areas including; Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong. With 11.3 million people visiting the DSSS zone each year, it is essential that local tourism organisations work together to support the tourism sector. DSSS and RDA Illawarra collaborate on strengthening the tourism and visitor economy in our region.
Destination Wollongong
Destination Wollongong is responsible for delivering visitor economy growth by positioning Wollongong & surrounds as a premier regional tourism, events & conference destination. We work with Destination Wollongong on a range of projects as tourism is a key industry sector in our region.
Illawarra Business Chamber
The Illawarra Business Chamber is a not-for-profit helping connect, support and grow businesses across the Illawarra region by assisting with a variety of services including legal advice, recruitment, marketing and many more. RDA Illawarra works alongside Illawarra Business Chamber to support industry and economic growth in our region.
The Illawarra Connection
The Illawarra Connection (TIC) is a not-for-profit networking organisation for professionals, commercial and industrial businesses and community organisations. RDA Illawarra and TIC partner with the University of Wollongong on the Leadership Illawarra Project initiative, which is managed by RDA Illawarra.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation of Councils (ISJO)
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation of Councils (ISJO) consists of four member councils:
ISJO aims to achieve regional strategic planning, inter-governmental collaboration and regional leadership and advocacy. ISJO vision for the region is to have a confident, vibrant, safe and productive region that optimises the potential of its people and environment now and into the future.
RDA Illawarra works collaboratively with ISJO to foster the economic development in our region. RDA Illawarra and ISJO leverage their expertise and have collaborated on projects such as the Illawarra Shoalhaven Smart Region Strategy and the Western Sydney Illawarra Action Plan.
University of Wollongong - Leading Locally, Competing Globally
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a major contributor to Wollongong's economic and social transition from a steel city towards a more diverse, highly skilled and globally competitive region. UOW wants to help create the new industries and jobs for the future.
RDA Illawarra works alongside UOW to leverage innovation solutions in our region. Some of the joint initiatives include:
- Blue Economy
- Smart Cities
- iAccelerate
- Leadership Illawarra Program