The Illawarra at a glance
Three council areas
Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama make up the region: 1,089 square kilometres and 313,842 residents in 2021.
Rain off the escarpment
The wettest high ground gets over 1300 mm of rain a year. In April 1988 about 600 mm fell over five days, and the Coledale railway embankment collapsed, sweeping away a house.
Wild weather
A tornado damaged about 75 homes in Kiama in February 2013, and recovery stalled because many contained asbestos. In December 2015 a storm cut power to thousands of homes around Bulli, Thirroul and Woonona.
The homes
Across the region, 71.7% of homes are separate houses and 14.5% are units, and 29.0% are rented.
Endeavour Energy
Endeavour's network covers the Illawarra, and its fault line is 131 003. The main Illawarra postcodes are in stage two of its solar backstop rollout from 30 November 2026.
How the jobs change across the region
Under the escarpment (Thirroul and nearby): older holiday cottages, storm damage and surge protection.
Around the lake and the growth areas (Dapto, Albion Park): new estates with solar, batteries and EV chargers, plus older town centres.
Down the coast (Shellharbour, Kiama): new harbourside apartments, heritage terraces, and storm repairs where asbestos needs care.
Steel and coal suburbs. Migrants who came for jobs at the Port Kembla steelworks settled in suburbs such as Cringila, Warrawong and Coniston. In older homes there, a switchboard check comes before any big addition.
Landslip, flood or storm damage
If a slip, flood or fallen tree has damaged your house, keep away from exposed wiring and the switchboard. Report fallen lines to Endeavour Energy on 131 003 and stay at least eight metres away. Call the SES on 132 500 for storm and flood help, and 000 if anyone's in danger.
Where we would start in the Illawarra
Work out which kind of Illawarra home you have. On an escarpment or creekside block, storm resilience comes first: a modern board and surge protection. In a new estate, plan for solar exports and a charger. In an older brick or timber house, start with an asbestos-aware switchboard check.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.