Integrated Service Hub Redevelopment
Client: Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation
Industry: Social services and Indigenous infrastructure
Capabilities: Cost Benefit Analysis, Economic modelling
The Challenge
Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation (IAC) planned to redevelop its central Wollongong facility into an integrated service hub, designed to deliver culturally safe, coordinated support for local Aboriginal communities. The new site would bring together aged care, housing, child protection, and family services in one purpose-built location, improving access and outcomes across the life course. This vision responded to a pressing challenge: Aboriginal families in the Illawarra were navigating fragmented and under-resourced service systems. Services operated in silos, making it difficult for clients with complex or overlapping needs to receive timely support. Elders faced long waitlists for aged care, families struggled to access early intervention, and children in out-of-home care were impacted by inconsistent service delivery. The existing IAC facility was outdated and not equipped for integrated, multidisciplinary care.
The Action
Polis Partners was engaged to conduct a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to assess the economic case for redevelopment. The modelling focused on key benefits, including:
- greater efficiency in home care package delivery
- avoided costs through earlier intervention and family reunification
- reduced housing instability and homelessness
- improved employment and wellbeing through integrated care
- lower service duplication and overheads.
The analysis incorporated demographic trends, service demand forecasts, capital and operational costs, and alignment with NSW Government investment priorities.
The Results
The CBA provided IAC with a strong, evidence-based case to support funding submissions and stakeholder engagement. It demonstrated a clear return on investment and alignment with Closing the Gap targets, helping to position the redevelopment as a leading example of Indigenous-led service innovation. The outputs were designed for flexibility, enabling IAC to repurpose the findings for funding bids across housing, aged care, and social services.