Business Networks

The Shoalhaven Business Chamber is a membership based organisation consisting of members from the business, government, education, and not-for-profit sectors. It is affiliated with the Illawarra Chamber of Business in Wollongong.

The Shoalhaven Business Chamber has grown to be one of the ten largest Business Chambers in the state. Membership provides access to the monthly networking events, e-news updates & regional training opportunities.

The Illawarra + Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network is an alliance between the local defence industry, Shoalhaven City Council, the NSW Government and the Shoalhaven Business Chamber.  This Group consists of Shoalhaven & Illawarra defence related businesses, who are working together to secure contracts and share knowledge and skill in order to enhance the defence industry in Shoalhaven.

Our services include assistance with key local introductions, site selection, decision support material, networking opportunities and advice on government regulations, policies and incentives. 

Case Studies:

• Illawarra and Shoalhaven Defence Network - Defence Industry Group takes off at air show (PDF)
• Air Affairs - Air Affairs investing in Shoalhaven's Future (PDF)
• Aerospace Training Services - 
• Albatross Aviation Technology Park (AATP) - Shoalhaven's Aviation Vision now a high-tech success story (PDF)
• BAE Systems - BAE Systems staff take pride in Seahawk performance (PDF)
• CAE Australia - Simulators prepare helicopter crews for the real thing (PDF)
• GHD - Defence driving GHD's Shoalhaven expansion (PDF)
• Global Defence Solutions - GDS supplies everything from field kitchens to the kitchen sink (PDF)
• Integra Packaging - Integra offers solutions, not just packages (PDF)
• Partech Systems - Partech showcases high-tech capabilities on Joint Strike Fighter (PDF)
• Raytheon Australia - a trusted partner of Defence and the Shoalhaven (PDF)
• Sikorsky Australia - Recruiting now. Join the Sikorsky Australia Team in the Shoalhaven

Blue BioTech Shoalhaven is an industry group that has been established to promote innovation and the capability of our member businesses in aquatic biotechnology - from growth through to processing. Shoalhaven businesses are delivering quality controlled product with established providence grown in one of the cleanest environments in the world.

Blue BioTech Shoalhaven contains many innovative and dynamic members that deliver quality products, capability and services to the marketplace. This industry network was created, following Council adopting an Aquatic Biotechnology Industry Strategy in May 2014, to enable members to create opportunities in the marketplace that they couldn't access in isolation.

Cross-pollination and networking within the membership have already proved to deliver far more benefits compared to operating alone. The Shoalhaven is the place to be for aquatic biotechnology and Blue BioTech Shoalhaven welcomes other businesses to the group that can add to this growing market.

• Click here to learn about Pia Winbergs journey on ABC Landline - Seaweed Siren : A scientist turns to the healing powers of seaweed after a terrible accident.
• Click here to discover The Blue Forest. The first comprehensive film focusing on the important topics of kelp and seaweed around the world and explores how we can preserve one of the world’s most productive habitats.
• Click here to discover stories on Phyco Health.

South Coast Agri Network is a group of producers and manufactures of agricultural produce seeking to work together with regard to marketing, production and topics of mutual interest.  Comprising of small area farmers and boutique manufacturers from Kiama and Shoalhaven Councils, they are keen to show case the quality of the Shoalhaven produce and product.

In 2011 the South Coast Harvest Experience was launched in the 7th edition of the Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail. South Coast Harvest Experience interactive Map.

• A photographic blog of the South Coast Harvest Experience.
• The produce program helping Ulladulla's fishing industry

South Coast Beef Producers Association is a group of beef producers working towards a productive, sustainable and profitable beef industry in the South Coast and Southern Highlands of NSW through best practice that meets financial, environmental and social expectations To contact the South Coast Beef Producers Association email the secretary.

The Milton Ulladulla Business Chamber is governed by an Executive Committee which is made up of voluntary business owners and community minded people. We are here to keep our members informed and act as a business advocate for our local area.

We work with local businesses and engage with the wider community to create opportunities that assist local business to develop and grow, and provide services that benefit our community.

Our objectives are to:

• Support community and economic development efforts to aid business development and growth
• Raise the profile and indentity of the Southern Shoalhaven region
• Create ongoing opportunities through the stimulation of our local economy
• Provide networking opportunities for business owners for their mutual benefit
• Provide sustainable employment through increased services and sustainable tourism.

The Basin Business Forum is open to all businesses in the Bay and Basin who have a shared passion in our local area and are seeking to make strong network connections. The Basin Business Forum focuses on making face to face connections at their regular meetings, held on the second Tuesday of each month. We welcome businesses to share their Facebook page or advertise to the group, but ask that it is limited it to one post per week.

The Shoalhaven Export Hub is a collaborative business-to-business network that helps small and medium size businesses harness opportunities in global markets. The Shoalhaven Export Hub will work with businesses to build their skills and know-how to harness global opportunities leading to economic growth including global reach through local infrastructure and job creation across the Shoalhaven by developing globally competitive SME’s.  Seminars, workshops and networking activities to develop skills and contacts will be held for members. 

• The Shoalhaven Export Strategy can be viewed here.

South East Australian Transport Strategy Inc. (SEATS) provides highly coordinated and influential advocacy for the development of transport infrastructure in the South East Australian region that supports sustainable economic development and the prosperity of its constituents.

SEATS aims to stimulate and facilitate investment in transport and infrastructure in south eastern New South Wales ( NSW ), eastern Victoria ( VIC ), and the Australian Capital Territory ( ACT ) region. SEATS has developed its regional list of Priority Projects to improve the freight transportation network which it believes will deliver regional economic benefit within the region.

Members of SEATS include local government, regional development organisations, government agencies, regional industry, regional consulting bodies and education institutions.

The Sydney Peri Urban Network (SPUN) represents twelve Councils that border metropolitan Sydney. SPUN was established in 2013 in response to concerns about the lack of a comprehensive vision for the peri urban region and consists of the following Councils: Blue Mountains, Camden, Gosford, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, The Hills Shire, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly.

Sydney and surrounding regions' Peri Urban Council areas are recognised as being part of New South Wales solution for managing growth while providing opportunities for strengthening local town & village character, settlements, lifestyle, tourism, agricultural and economic pursuits. The Network will assist and empower Councils to  manage the significant pressures faced in peri urban areas.

Peri Urban Councils are undergoing significant change, and the growth in the peri urban areas has brought with it many challenges and opportunities for Councils.

SPUN has an Action Plan (PDF) developed in 2015.

The role of the Coordinareis geared to deliver a well governed, locally responsive and efficiently run Public Health Network.

The Executive team shares leadership competencies in strategy, managing change and stakeholder engagement. This team have a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing primary health care locally and its collective ability to forge strong, strategic alliances, ensure a well connected, influential and high performing PHN.

The Engagement and Coordination team consists of highly skilled staff who are committed to working with general practice and other stakeholders to enhance the coordination of care, improve health outcomes and provide a better patient experience.

The Strategy and Performance team brings together experts in epidemiology, population health and communications. They are responsible for ensuring the needs of our region and the impact of activities are known.

The Commissioning team is focused on commissioning the right mix of local initiatives to achieve improved health outcomes, reduced health inequalities and better patient experiences across the region.