The week in local politics
From hanging out with Hemsworth to bushwalking in the escarpment, here's a round-up of what your elected representatives have been up to
Diversity in the diary
One day Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown is adding her signature to the draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Plan. The next, she's behind the scenes of Extraction 3 with star Chris Hemsworth. These two very different events both bode well for the city's prosperity. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Plan is a 20-year vision to welcome another 160,000 people, build 117,000 homes and boost jobs and infrastructure – now open for feedback. And big budget films like Extraction 3 bring not only cast and crew, but income for hotels, restaurants and local services, and ultimately, more movies, more tourism and community pride. As Screen Illawarra chair Nick Bolton told us this week: “The multiplier effect is wonderful.”
Yesterday, the Lord Mayor was at Belmore Basin to talk about Council and Canva's Wollongong Goals collaboration. Read more in Have your say in a world-first way.
Dinner with the chamber
On July 24, Ward 1 Labor Councillor Dan Hayes attended a ‘CEO Connect’ networking dinner with the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce, revived post-Covid by new president Joanna Stuart of Brew Accounting and recently named a finalist in Business Illawarra’s ‘Outstanding Local Chamber’ category. Dan said it was “a wonderful opportunity", with conversation ranging from business advice to council challenges, like footpaths. “It was a great reminder that while business owners want their businesses to do well they also want their community to be doing well and these are intertwined," he said. "For example, increased housing means more customers but also a wider employee pool. Attracting tourists for events can bring more customers. A beautiful village and good transport makes a great place to live and work.”
The Greens go for a walk
On Sunday, August 2, Ward 1 Greens councillor Jess Whittaker joined Senator David Shoebridge and the Greens Bushwalking Club for a stroll along Mount Pleasant Track and the Rainforest and Rhododendron Gardens. “We had a fantastic turn out of 34 people," she said. "We mostly chatted with David about the beautiful rainforest we were in and some Illawarra Greens members gave us a tour of significant trees in this area. We had a great time spotting birds and investigating an impressive bush turkey nest. The walk finished in the spectacular Rhododendron Gardens. David is a regular visitor to the Illawarra and we look forward to welcoming him back soon!”
This week the Wollongong city councillor also wrote an opinion piece in support of Wollongong Skatepark after the newly formed Friends of MacCabe Park objected to concrete replacing green space in the city.
Less waiting for the bus
On Monday, Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart hailed the start of more frequent buses in the northern Illawarra, posting: “A huge thank you to Carmel Schenke, Chloe Metzker, Sian Morgan, Rhiannon Morgan and Matthew Dickson for their tireless advocacy in helping secure these improvements for our community.” Changes include more frequent buses to the city and the University of Wollongong. Read more about moves afoot to improve public transport in architect Matt Dickson’s new column for the Flame.
The Heathcote electorate office announced that sporting organisations can now apply for funding in the 2026 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.
Photos supplied
REZ inquiry lands
The inquiry into 'Impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries in NSW' has delivered its final report, with a government response due in October. "Key among the committee's findings was that the government has presided over the roll-out of REZ without a coherent, enforceable, whole-of-government planning framework resulting in predictable and avoidable harm to rural and regional communities," reported inquiry chair Mark Banasiak, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Member of the Legislative Council. In a statement, Responsible Future Illawarra president Alex O’Brien praised the Illawarra local's leadership: "I have also witnessed this commitment firsthand through his tireless work and advocacy." RFI formed to fight offshore wind and is now calling for "transparent, evidence‑driven energy planning".
AUKUS moments
Past and present Greens councillors and NSW Socialists last week joined almost 200 people at the Fraternity Club to watch the Wollongong screening of Earth's Greatest Enemy, a film about the US military's impact on the environment made by a US activist journalist and her war veteran husband. Next Wednesday, Wollongong will host a hearing of the crowdfunded, independent public inquiry into AUKUS, with commissioners Peter Garrett, Carmen Lawrence, Admiral (retd) Chris Barrie, Karina Lester and Leanne Minshull. All are welcome to attend.
96 Candles Commemoration
Keira MP Ryan Park, the Minister for Health, was among local politicians who joined Dendrobium mine workers and community members for the 96 Candles Commemoration at Windy Gully Cemetery, on July 31. The event marked the anniversary of the Mount Kembla Mine Disaster in 1902, when 96 men and boys died in Australia’s worst industrial disaster.
The Keira electorate office announced that community sports groups can apply via the Local Sport Grant Program for new equipment, programs and facility upgrades.
Alison Byrnes visited Berkeley's Mini Expo. At right: Carol Berry at the launch of We Are at Shellharbour Civic Centre. Photos supplied
Support for services
On Monday, Whitlam Labor MP Carol Berry attended the launch of We Are, an art exhibition by the Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre that's on show at Shellharbour Civic Centre until the end of August. On Tuesday, Cunningham Labor MP Alison Byrnes visited the Berkeley Community Mini Expo, saying "a big thank you" to Joel from Heartwork Mental Health, Shaz and KP from Need A Feed and Maria from Berkeley Community Centre for bringing it together. Two events coming up will mark Homelessness Week: a BBQ at Wollongong Library and the Official Opening of GO Bag, an exhibition exploring forms of transient living.
A pizzagate?
Next Friday, August 14, three Labor MPs – Maryanne Stuart, Ryan Park MP and Alison Byrnes – are inviting students to Bulli Community Centre for pizza and politics event. Seeing this on a public high school's Facebook page drew criticism from a Greens member. “I think engaging students in the learning about politics is an important part of a citizenship curriculum, but in this instance the opportunity is suggestive of a Labor recruitment drive supported by the school which, in turn, is exerting soft political influence over students,” read a letter from Simon Green, who is the father of a former school captain, and the partner of Ward 3 Councillor Deidre Stuart. Another letter, from a current student, said: “Teachers put an enormous amount of effort into remaining politically impartial in the classroom. By promoting this event, the school is undermining that commitment…” The Education Department's social media policy can be found here.
At right: Helensburgh's old hall is closed and expected to be demolished. Photo: Illawarra Flame
'Appalled' in Helensburgh
Meanwhile, in an open letter to to Wollongong City Council Councillors and senior staff, a life-long Labor voter from Helensburgh, Ross McLean, has slammed council's decision to demolish the town's mould-afflicted memorial hall, writing: “I am appalled at the level of arrogance and petty bickering among the elected members, especially those representing the Labor Party who appear to have formed a block to stifle any representation for the northern communities within the Wollongong LGA.”
State election in 2027
The 2027 NSW State election set for Saturday, 13 March 2027.
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