Committee to explore Wollongong's future

The House of Representatives Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities will explore the competitive advantages of Wollongong’s economic transformation to the knowledge-based sector during a public hearing in the city tomorrow.

The committee’s inquiry in the city is also aimed at discussing strategies to further transform Wollongong and other regional centres, with a focus on promoting development and private investment.

“We are examining the Australian Government’s role in refocusing urbanisation on regional centres and are interested in examining the factors critical to Wollongong’s success with the hope they may be applied elsewhere,” committee chair John Alexander said.

The committee will also seek to learn more about the smart city research being conducted at the University of Wollongong, such as through the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre and the SMART Infrastructure Facility, according to committee deputy chair Sharon Bird. “The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre is particularly focused on retrofitting existing buildings to enhance their sustainability, which is critical to lowering carbon emissions in cities,” she said.

“Similarly, the SMART Infrastructure Facility has state-of-the-art laboratories working with public data to identify the infrastructure of the future.”

Image credit: ©孤飞的鹤/Dollar Photo Club

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