NSW Treasurer Michael Egan noted the exciting times ahead for Wollongong when he launched Innovation Week in Wollongong at the University of Wollongong Science Centre on Monday.

The Treasurer said that Wollongong's declaration in 1999 that it was "The City of Innovation" had not been shortsighted. He said BHP Steele's development of thin steel technology and Energetech's harnessing of wave energy to generate power were just two examples of innovative projects developed in the Illawarra.

Creative arts students from the University entertained those attending the launch with a performance of excerpts from their production "Love Dot Com", with costumes including Italian hand-crafted masks and music of Monterverdi.

Following the launch The Treasurer, UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton and Wollongong City Council General Manager Rod Oxley signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Wollongong Innovation Campus on the Brandon Park site.

UOW creative arts students, pictured above, entertain atendees at the launch of Innovation Week

including (right) from left Wollongong Lord Mayor Cr George Harrison, NSW Treasurer Michael Egan, Member for Wollongong Col Markham MP and UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton.

Above: NSW Treasurer Michael Egan speaks at the launch of Innovation Week at the UOW Science Centre.

Above: UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton, State Treasurer Michael Egan and Wollongong City Council General Manager Rod Oxley (seated) sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the Innovation Campus at Brandon Park, watched by Member for Wollongong Col Markham MP and Wollongong Lord Mayor Cr George Harrison.