About us

BACKGROUND

On the 29th April 1996, an enthusiastic group of local business owners formed an action group to address the issue of an identity for the Northern Illawarra; the region north of Wollongong encompassing the coastal villages between Helensburgh to Thirroul. This team soon became very active in pursuing this goal, with their first major achievement being the formation of the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce (NICC).

Today the role of the NICC has changed greatly since its first inception. With the establishment of strong professional and social networks and a steady increase in memberships, the issue of identity, once the major concern for that small Executive team, has given way to a broader range of issues.

Two significant events changed the identity of the Northern Illawarra forever - the closure of Lawrence Hargrave Drive in 2003 between Coalcliff and Clifton due dangerous rock falls, resulting in several businesses closing their doors unable to sustain themselves during the 2 year re-construction period; and the subsequent re-opening of the road in 2005, with the new Sea Cliff Bridge, the iconic structure that would not only serve to rejoin the two villages, but along with the launch of the Grand Pacific Drive, thrust the region into the international spotlight.

The Northern Illawarra region is now home to around 500 small businesses that service approximately 18,000 local residents and, with an increasing number of visitors passing over the Sea Cliff Bridge every day, it is also fast becoming a popular tourist destination for day-trippers and short stay visitors.

The Northern Illawarra business community now faces a new and exciting future, one that will present a range of opportunities and challenges that will affect each one of them in different ways. It will be the way in which our business community approaches, addresses and embraces these challenges and opportunities that will be the key to their viability and sustainability into the future.

OUR ROLE

To provide an effective organisational, member-based platform that values, supports, and gives voice to the business community of the Northern Illawarra.

2008 INITIATIVES

Commencement of a new online marketing initiative in cooperation with Tourism Wollongong The product will be a series of 5 Tourist Trails highlighting the essence of what the Northern Illawarra has to offer day-trippers and short stay visitors. The 5 online Tourist Trails will be available mid 2008.

Production of an NICC Member Directory, listing all the NICC member businesses of the Northern Illawarra in an easy-to-find format. Its purpose is to act as a business reference tool, and to facilitate the Chamber’s ongoing campaign to promote a Buy Local mindset. 5,000 copies of the Directory will be printed, free to members, and distributed between Helensburgh and Fairy Meadow by early April 2008.

Commencement of a series of Chamber-based initiatives for all Northern Illawarra businesses to assist them in reducing their environmental footprint. The initiatives will involve collaboration with local environmental managers and organisations and involve the introduction of simple and effective everyday practices that will have an immediate effect on our environment.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

• Established a new partnership with the Illawarra Area Consultative Committee to bring regular small business related workshops and seminars directly to the Northern Illawarra.
• Introduced regular guest speaker segments into Chamber General Meetings. These have included, the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tourism Wollongong, local political members; Illawarra business group representatives, and affiliate organisations.
• Introduced face to face (monthly Chamber meetings) and web -based opportunities (Chamber Blast) for B2B profiling.
• Established a monthly electronic newsletter the Chamber Blast, as key communication tool between the Chamber, its members, the media, and Government and Tourism bodies.
• Established an NICC online interactive Cross-Promotional Database for Chamber members to achieve wider exposure within the Northern Illawarra.
• Established the NICC Ball, held annually in November. All funds raised supporting local community and Chamber projects and events.
• Produced a series of local walking tour brochures of the Northern Illawarra, funded by the RTA and distributed to tourism outlets.
• Provided in-kind marketing and financial support of the Inaugural "Festival of Flight" which attracted 10,000 local and intrastate attendees.
• Won a $70,000 government grant to facilitate a major Strategic Plan Survey of the Northern Illawarra.
• Became a founding co-sponsor in the development of a web portal, Northern Illawarra Online.