Wollongong businesses can't hire without new apartments
Wollongong employers say they lose job candidates because there's nowhere for workers to live.
Businesses across Wollongong are turning away workers because the city lacks housing, according to Business Illawarra's Homes for Workers report. The group says apartment towers must go up fast, and density in the city centre is essential.
Affordable housing in Bellambi and Gwynneville could help, as could flats for essential workers. The city needs to protect natural areas nearby, which means building up, not out.
But apartments alone won't fix the problem, transport, parking, amenities and childcare must keep pace.
- Coralie McCarthy
- Business Illawarra director
- Homes for Workers
- Report name
- February 20, 2026
- Housing summit date
- Paul Scully
- NSW Planning Minister
Why it mattersWithout housing, Wollongong loses workers, and businesses stall. Building apartments is how the city attracts and keeps the staff it needs to grow.
AustraliaWollongong's job market depends on housing. If the city builds apartments fast, local businesses gain workers and the economy grows. If it stalls, employers leave.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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