Wollongong City Council will deploy surveillance cars to monitor timed parking zones from February 2026, replacing manual tyre chalking. The one-year trial aims to improve efficiency and turnover in high-demand areas.
A national car club abandons plans for a 200-person meeting in Wollongong due to a critical shortage of affordable hotel rooms, highlighting a major hurdle for the city's visitor economy.
As a severe heatwave looms, we revisit the Hunter's 1939 furnace that killed scores, halted work, and left a tragic mark on local records. Discover the history to understand the present.
A 33-year-old Whitlam man faces court over alleged repeated rape and indecent assault of his ex-partner in the early 2000s. He has been released on conditional bail. Support services information included.
Explore a fascinating year from the Illawarra Mercury's history column, featuring tales of drunken tree-chopping, fiery ships, political threats, and vintage crime. Dive into 170 years of local stories.
A delicious recap of the Illawarra's biggest food stories from 2025, featuring award-winning restaurants, iconic closures, and exciting new openings. Discover the region's culinary heartbeat.
Wollongong City Council will review the cancelled New Year's Eve fireworks after a wave washed over the breakwall. The probe will ask why there was no Plan B. Read the full story.
A rediscovered 1912 book, 'The Ideal Western Australia', reveals the ambitious social blueprint for the state. Explore the untold history of WA's planned future.
An antisocial trend of using cling wrap to reserve public spaces has returned to Wollongong's Stuart Park for New Year's celebrations, sparking local outrage and calls for better enforcement.
Wollongong Art Gallery has closed an exhibition after artist Anthony Lister was charged with multiple offences, including alleged sexual assault. The council is monitoring the case.
Wollongong City Council cancels the 9pm New Year's Eve fireworks display due to dangerous ocean conditions at the harbour. Public safety cited as the top priority.
From the Hawks' championship glory to community triumphs and wild weather, Illawarra Mercury photographers Adam McLean, Anna Warr, and Robert Peet share their standout images and stories from a remarkable year.
Wollongong residents condemn racist propaganda distributed in local letterboxes. A former AFP communications head speaks out against the 'filth' targeting the community.
Plan your New Year's Eve in Wollongong with details on foreshore road closures, public transport options, and fireworks displays. Essential travel advice for 31 December 2025.
Ring in 2026 across the Illawarra! Our complete guide covers Wollongong Harbour fireworks, the Summer Carnival, and live music from Royale With Cheese to Touch Sensitive. Find your perfect party.
Wollongong residents have shared ambitious ideas, including a tunnel and a Las Vegas-style sign, for the Flinders St 'arrival boulevard' revamp. What do you think should happen?
Think you've kept up with 2025's headlines? Take our ultimate 30-question news quiz from your daily coffee break and prove your current affairs knowledge. Challenge yourself now!
Plans lodged to replace the 50-year-old Boat Harbour Motel in Wollongong with a dual-tower apartment complex featuring affordable housing. Public exhibition open until February 9.
A look back at the major court cases that shocked the Illawarra region in 2025, from a former MP's jailing for sex crimes to teen violence and a decades-old mystery. Read the full recap.
Nowra's beloved 90-year-old Roxy Cinemas has triumphantly reopened after severe flood damage. Discover the careful restoration that blends modern upgrades with cherished Art Deco heritage.
Wollongong's bargain hunters weigh in on the Boxing Day vs Black Friday debate as national spending is set to hit $3.1 billion. Experts warn shoppers to track prices and beware of sophisticated scams.
As courts close for Christmas, key cases from the Illawarra region include a high-profile drink driver, a shooting, and a guilty plea for a $100k theft. Read the details.
Illawarra restaurants, pubs, and hotels are experiencing high demand for Christmas Day dining as families opt to avoid the stress of cooking at home. Discover the festive menus and prices on offer.
Albion Park Village Meats sees a 25% surge in roast orders as Illawarra residents prioritise festive feasts. Owner Glenn Stewart says 'people find the money for Christmas'.
Wollongong revellers face a choice this New Year's Eve: harbour or CBD fireworks? The Illawarra Hotel adds a 9pm CBD show, complementing council's harbour display. Locals share their picks.
Discover where to find the crispiest, most authentic Portuguese tarts in the Illawarra region. From Wollongong to Shellharbour, we reveal the bakeries locals swear by.
Wollongong PE teacher Phil Saunders has had all charges against him dismissed in local court. Read the magistrate's detailed reasoning and the emotional courtroom outcome.
A Wollongong magistrate has identified major problems with the prosecution's case against a man charged over the 1993 disappearance of Pauline Sowry, but denied bail due to alleged threats against police. Read the latest court developments.
Exclusive first image reveals plans for six towers, including three 40-storey skyscrapers, on the old Bunnings site in central Wollongong. The $500m project could house over 3000 people.
A busy week in Wollongong courts saw ex-footballer Wendell Sailor arrested, Trent Merrin avoid conviction for crypto theft, and a $2.5 million embezzlement case. Read the latest local legal news.