A series of documents with strong business and community buy-in are now shaping the future of our area. 

Georges River Economic Development Strategy - growing a progressive, innovative and productive economy

The Strategy was adopted by Council in December 2018 and has a lifespan of four years. 
 

The Strategy

• Sets out the why and how to grow the local economy
• Outlines the key characteristics, opportunities and challenges across the LGA
• Provides meaningful themes, goals and actions
• Supports employment and fosters business growth, innovation and resilience.

Georges River Council Economic Development Strategy

 

The Metropolis of Three Cities

The NSW Government’s Greater Sydney Region Plan – A Metropolis of Three Cities identifies the Georges River Local Government Area within the South District and the Eastern Harbour City.

The Plan has signified Hurstville and Kogarah as strategic centres with that have unique attributes and a growing role to play in the economy of Greater Sydney.

The South District Plan vision will be met by:

• Supporting the growth of the Kogarah Health and Education Collaboration Precinct and the Hurstville Strategic Centre and other important centres within the Georges River LGA.
• Retaining industrial and urban services land and freight routes.
• Optimising the advantages of the area’s proximity to the Sydney CBD, Sydney Airport, Port Botany, the Illawarra and Port Kembla.
• Sustaining vibrant public places, walking, cycling and cultural and tourism assets.  

Other Important Plans

• Local Strategic Planning Statements.
• Kogarah Investment Attraction Strategy (to be advised).
• Hurstville Place Strategy (to be advised).
• Georges River 2050 Strategy (to be advised).

Our Place

The Georges River area is predominantly residential, however it also features substantial commercial, industrial, and recreational attributes within a total land area of about 40 square kms.

Our area includes secluded bays, pristine waterways and large areas of open space and bush land - much of it fronting on to the spectacular Georges River.

Home to the Bidjigal people, European settlement dates from 1804 when the first land grants were made by Governor King. By 1809 the land began to be used for agricultural purposes and timber getting.

The population grew slowly until the 1840s when improved road access led to the clearing of large tracts of land for the establishment of market gardens, orchards and vineyards. A strong period of population growth took place between the 1880s and 1890s as a result of the opening of the Illawarra railway line in 1884.

Rapid residential development occurred elsewhere in the area in the first half of the 20th century and during the 1920s and 1930s due to the opening of the East Hills railway line.