A FORMAL partnership has been forged between Shellharbour City Council and Regional Development Australia Illawarra (RDAI) to enhance the growing city’s future and help secure funds for key regional projects.
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Opportunities for growth include the Illawarra Regional Airport becoming an aviation industry hub, expanding business opportunities within the Shell Cove marina precinct, creation of accommodation and a city-wide free shuttle bus service. Both parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the council chambers last week, agreeing to collaborate to promote the Shellharbour LGA and the Illawarra.
The agreement included delivering on initiatives outlined in the Shellharbour Community Strategic Plan.
Shellharbour Mayor Kellie Marsh described the document as a ‘‘security blanket for our city and our region’’.
‘‘It’s logical that a city on the move needs to be aligned with a great organisation like the RDA,’’ Cr Marsh said. ‘‘No matter what we do, it needs to be job and people-related.’’
RDAI chairman Eddy De Gabriele said the document wasn’t a new start, but a continuation.
‘‘RDA is here to complement and support the plans of the council,’’ he said.
‘‘RDA is here to complement and support the plans of the council (and is now) able to sit down with council at the planning stage, not the submission stage.’’
Mr De Gabriele cited a potential marina industry hub at Shell Cove as an example.
‘‘An IT business park is part of the marina plans – what about tying the NBN into that business park?’’ he said.
‘‘We can create small businesses. The NBN could also be linked into the airport.’’
The agreement will be reviewed after 12 months.