What has been touted as the world’s largest industrial land transformation project has taken a step forward, with a rezoning proposal to revitalise 200 hectares at BlueScope’s Port Kembla site in New South Wales now on public exhibition.
The proposal covers underutilised land on the southern edge of the Port Kembla Steelworks, aiming to create a hub that could support up to 30,000 jobs and underpin the Illawarra’s economic growth for decades. The NSW Government is fast-tracking the process through a State Assessed Rezoning Proposal pathway, reflecting the site’s strategic significance for both the region and the state.
The planned precinct would open the land to new industries spanning advanced manufacturing, clean energy, logistics, data and education, positioning the Illawarra as a centre for next-generation industry.
BlueScope’s Head of Property Development, Michael Yiend, said the exhibition represents a milestone. “This transformation will complement existing and future steelmaking operations while attracting emerging industries to the site, creating a multi-decade pipeline of investment, economic growth, and new local career opportunities,” Michael says.
Operations at the steelworks and port will continue, with infrastructure and transport connections to support new development. Several historic industrial buildings will also be preserved and repurposed.
A Cabinet-endorsed Working Group led by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, is overseeing the project. “This site is about the same size as Monaco and has the potential to transform the local economy and create 30,000 jobs,” Paul says.
Property Council Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Director, Matthew Wales, said the rezoning reflected years of advocacy. “BlueScope’s master plan shows what’s possible when we plan big – thousands of jobs in emerging industries, billions in new investment, and a secure future for local workers,” Matthew says.
