Fostering cross-regional collaboration and developing shared transport priority outcomes for the Western Sydney and the Illawarra Shoalhaven regions.
About this event
Given their geographic proximity, growing populations and complementary industries, there are many untapped opportunities for greater collaboration between the neighbouring regions of Western Sydney and the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
Both regions are enjoying sustained population and economic growth as they transition from a focus on traditional manufacturing and industry to new opportunities in ICT and knowledge services; aviation, defence and advanced manufacturing; education and tourism.
In September 2019, tapping into the prospect of a cross-regional team, the Western Sydney Illawarra Shoalhaven Roadmap to Collaboration was launched. This strategy sets out a series of actions to enable the two regions to work more collaboratively, unlocking further capabilities for each region. One of the actions that has been assigned to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, is to hold the Cross Regional Transport Forum.
To date, consultation and feedback has only ever been sought on an LGA and regional level. The importance of this new collaborative approach stems from the idea that what may be seen as advantageous for one region, may create difficulties for the other downstream. This forum gives cross-regional stakeholders the opportunity to collectively advocate for better freight and passenger connectivity between the two regions to support economic and population growth for all.
Representatives from both the Western Sydney and the Illawarra Shoalhaven council regions will be in attendance and will also have the opportunity to be updated on transport (both passenger and freight) related strategy that equally impacts both.
A number of particular projects and areas of interest, emerging as the focus of this forum, present once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for growth and collaboration between the two regions. These include:
Success for the forum would mean a number of things. Equal representation and input from both regions, stakeholders to share information about progress and research, the incorporation of feedback, effective advocacy ensuring relevant infrastructure projects get funding allocations and beyond the forum, the potential for a Cross-Regional Advisory Group to be developed for ongoing consultation and advice.
The Roadmap was a first step towards taking a shared approach to leveraging opportunities in both regions, this Forum is the next. We look forward to welcoming your attendance, your ideas and your collaboration on the 9th of July.
Speakers
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Adam Zarth Executive Director, Illawarra Business Chamber and Illawarra First |
Gabriel Metcalf Chief Executive Officer, Committee for Sydney |
Cr Tania Brown Chief Operating Officer, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong |
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Nathaniel Smith MP NSW Parliament, Member for Wollondilly |
Matthew Dudley Principal Transport Planner, Transport for NSW |
The Hon. Gareth Ward Member for Kiama, Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services |
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The Hon. Andrew Constance MP NSW Parliament, Minister for Transport and Roads |
Andrew Jackson Director, Western Sydney Planning Partnership |
Tim Poole COO, Western Sydney and Aerotropolis Authority |
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Linda Davis Director Planning and Environment, Wollongong City Council |
The Hon. Stuart Ayres MP Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney |
Sam Knight Regional Director Southern, Transport for NSW |
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Leanne Taylor Chief Executive Officer, Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation
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Adam Gray Senior Manager Regional Planning, Transport for NSW |
Christian Beekes A/General Manager, Rail and City Deal Implementation |
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Geoff Cahill Director Corridor Preservation, Transport for NSW |
Clr Gordon Bradbery AM Lord Mayor, Wollongong City Council and Chair, Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation |
Michael Comninos Director, Astrolabe Group |
To view the Forum Agenda and the Stakeholder Pre-reading pack, please click on the links below:
Express your interest to register here:
eventbrite.com.au/e/108391752650
Zoom is safe to use, with our policies.
To protect our stakeholders, we have implemented a number of security measures on this platform. When running our virtual events we strictly use the view-only function for all registered attendees. View-only ensures that we have control over the content being displayed, and our facilitators will be able to moderate any contributions. We will also be operating with password protection and invitation only access.
The online forum will use a combination of interactive sessions including polls, breakout rooms, whiteboards and survey. You will be engaged in the forum at times and we trust you will be respectful of participants.
We are aware that some of our stakeholder organisations have internal restrictions around the use of Zoom, but based on the nature of the event and our additional security measures, it should be safe for you to open this external link in your browser or on your mobile. If you’re unsure, please check with your IT department.
Dial in details will be provided for those who can only join via telephone connection.
