The launch of Portella, Frasers Property’s newest apartment release in Shell Cove, has underscored the pace and scale of Shellharbour’s population boom, intensifying pressure on the state government to include birthing suites in the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital.
The apartments are being marketed to young families, with 45 per cent of the 88 homes already sold at The Waterfront, Shell Cove. But they are just a drop in the ocean compared with the thousands of homes being delivered across the region, now one of the fastest growing in NSW.
More than 4800 homes are being constructed in Calderwood, while recent rezonings by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Wollongong MP Paul Scully, have paved the way for a further 5700 new homes in Shellharbour – 5000 at the Shellharbour TAFE site and 700 adjacent to the new hospital.
Down the road in Kiama, 52 new apartments have been declared State Significant Development and 450 homes proposed for Kiama Council’s former gasworks site are currently on public exhibition.
Despite this rapid population growth, birthing services remain excluded from Stage 1 of the new Shellharbour Hospital, due to be completed in 2027.
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has called for a midwife-led birthing unit to be included from opening day, warning that delaying maternity care poses unacceptable risks for local families.
General Manager Jess Davidson said deferring essential services while the government accelerates its housing agenda is “simply not an option.”
“The growth we’re seeing across Shellharbour and Kiama is extraordinary, and much-needed to address our housing crisis, but what’s missing is the essential care that must come with it,” Ms Davidson said.
“Young families are buying homes, schools are expanding, and communities are vibrant, yet pregnant women are still being told to travel out of the area to give birth. It’s simply not good enough.
“Midwives are ready to work here. Women are asking for care here. It’s time for the government to match its housing ambition with the same ambition for women’s health.”
What you can do to help
If you agree with us, you can make an impact by emailing NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and your local MP to let them know that women in Illawarra Shoalhaven need comprehensive maternity services.
Who to send your email to:
- NSW Health Minister and Member for Keira Ryan Park: keira@parliament.nsw.gov.au
- Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson: shellharbour@parliament.nsw.gov.au
- NSW Planning Minister and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully: wollongong@parliament.nsw.gov.au
- Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney: kiama@parliament.nsw.gov.au
- Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes: alison.byrnes.mp@aph.gov.au
- Federal Member for Whitlam, Carol Berry: carol.berry.mp@aph.gov.au
- Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips: fiona.phillips.mp@aph.gov.au
What you can say:
To make it easy for you, we’ve written a letter below that you may wish to use as a template to email your State or Federal representative.
Dear Minister Park,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the lack of birthing suites at the new Shellharbour Hospital. As a member of our community and a concerned citizen, I believe it is crucial to address the impact this issue may have on expectant mothers and their families.
With the opening of the new hospital, many local residents were hopeful that it would offer state-of-the-art healthcare services for a range of needs, including maternity care. However, the absence of dedicated birthing suites in the facility raises significant concerns about the quality and accessibility of maternity services for women in our region.
Birthing suites are essential for providing a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for women during labour and delivery. Without them, expectant mothers may face increased stress and potential complications, as they may have to travel further to access suitable facilities or face a less optimal setting for childbirth. This situation could also place additional strain on our local healthcare system.
I strongly urge you to ensure Shellharbour Hospital has a fully funded birthing unit, as well as a range of best practice alternative options that ensure local women have access to high-quality maternity care close to home. It is essential that we prioritise the health and well-being of mothers and babies in our community by addressing this gap in the hospital’s services.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate any information you can provide regarding the hospital’s plans for maternity services and any steps being taken to address this issue. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]