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.