policy
Port Kembla Renewable Energy Zone Referendum: Effects on Wollongong Employment and Household Energy Bills
Wollongong residents will decide in September on expansion of the Port Kembla Renewable Energy Zone, a step that determines future industrial activity near the steelworks and port facilities.
How we reported this
The NSW Electoral Commission has placed a referendum on expanding the Port Kembla Renewable Energy Zone on the ballot for eligible voters in the Wollongong and surrounding Illawarra seats on 12 September 2026. The measure asks residents whether additional land at the port should be rezoned for renewable infrastructure projects tied to the existing steel industry transition.
State planning documents released in June link the referendum to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Development Strategy. Those papers note that BlueScope operations at Port Kembla currently employ several thousand workers and that any zone expansion would alter land use rules around the steel plant and port terminals.
Daily impacts for local households
Residents living within five kilometres of the port would see changes in traffic patterns during construction periods if the measure passes. The legislation states that new transmission lines and storage facilities would connect to the existing grid serving Wollongong homes, which could alter the timing of network upgrades already listed in the 2026-27 NSW Budget papers.
Policy analysts note that workers at the steelworks and related supply businesses would face decisions about retraining programs attached to the zone. The government says the policy will direct a portion of future project revenue toward local skills courses run through TAFE NSW campuses in the region.
Next steps after the vote
If approved, the rezoning would require formal approval from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure before any construction contracts are signed. The electoral authority will count votes at the Wollongong Town Hall counting centre and publish results within two weeks of polling day.
Voters can access the full referendum question and explanatory statement on the NSW Electoral Commission website from 1 August. Local council offices in Wollongong will also stock printed copies for residents without internet access.