Working Wollongong’s tourism advantage

In my time as Lord Mayor – and even before that – I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think Wollongong would be a great option as the next cruise terminal for NSW.

It makes sense to me for many reasons – not the least that Wollongong has so much to offer visitors coming to our city.

Of course, there are all the usual drawcards like our city’s natural beauty in the form of beaches and the escarpment, but there are also a wide range of attractions to explore that cater to adrenaline junkies, cultural buffs and families, and a vibrant city centre.

As a city we continue to work to attract major events. Last year we hosted the 2025 World Triathlon Championship, we showcased our city to the world with the 2022 UCI Road World Cycling Championships, and in recent years we have welcomed surfing elite to our beaches for a number of key events, including the Australian Junior Surfing Titles.

Later this year we’re hosting games for the Rugby World Cup including a double-header of Fetu Samoa against England Women and PNG against England Men on Friday 30 October.

There has also been a lot of talk about the feasibility of a V8 supercars event coming to Wollongong. I know there are a lot of V8 enthusiasts but it needs to be the right fit for our community and whilst it’s very early days of discussion, we’re considering the opportunities, implications, impacts and benefits of such a proposal.

This process is exactly what we do for any event being considered for Wollongong. I’m keen for us to foster tourism from both the domestic and international markets so that everyone can enjoy the best of what this city has to offer.

And that’s why the Planning Proposal and Special Entertainment Precinct reports that were on Monday’s Council meeting agenda are so important.

The Planning Proposal focuses on incentivising hotel development across the whole of the Wollongong Local Government Area – from Helensburgh in the north to Primbee in the south and west to Yallah.

It’s about ensuring we have a diverse range of accommodation options that cater to the widest range of visitors possible.

That way, those who want to stay in a 5-star hotel in the heart of the city have that option. And those who want something a little more low-key can find their escape, too.  At the end of the day this policy will help deliver much needed hotel rooms.

This work and focus is also connected to the Special Entertainment Precinct Grant Opportunity. An initiative of the NSW Government, the Special Entertainment Precincts are focused on supporting vibrant and diverse nighttime precincts while also having a clear plan around trading hours, sound limits and managing feedback.

We’re keen to pursue the Special Entertainment Precinct grant opportunity as it creates a level playing field for businesses and community alike and so that we’re all on the same page in terms of nighttime activation of our city’s core.

Both of these reports are about positioning Wollongong as a city that’s open to business, that it’s a vibrant and fun place to be and that there’s a lot for everyone (including tourists) to enjoy.

It’s an exciting time in Wollongong and I will continue to advocate for the growth of our city both in terms of its tourism opportunities but also as a space that fosters exciting business opportunities that benefit our whole community.