I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the country where we are today.

We pay our respect to them and their cultures and to the elders past and present.

I am delighted to be here today.

Beyond the enormous excitement of officially opening the worlds largest and biggest water ride and other great new facilities, today is about recognising the bright future of our region.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate Jamberoo Action Park on their expansion.

This place already brings many thousands of people to the Illawarra.

The world leading rides and new facilities will bring tens of thousands more.

This is tremendously exciting both for Jamberoo and for the region.

I understand that around 70 per cent of visitors to the park are from outside of the region.

So the huge increase in visitors to Jamberoo has obvious flow on benefits to other local businesses like hotels and restaurants.

The Australian Government is very pleased to have been able to support Jamberoo with a $2 million grant from the Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund.

The Fund which includes contributions from both the Australian and New South Wales Governments and BlueScope Steel is all about diversifying and strengthening the local economy.

It helps local businesses like the Jamberoo Action Park invest in their own futures in the region.

The fund supports new investment.

Investment that will ultimately create high quality, skilled and sustainable job opportunities right here in the Illawarra.

In total, 37 businesses have been offered support across the two rounds of the $30 million Fund.

These projects are expected to generate over $90 million in total investment in the region.

Jobs will be created progressively as investments commence and are implemented.

Jamberoo Action Parks project is expected to create at least 62 new jobs.

These are good jobs that will benefit the people of the Illawarra.

I know that there are a lot of fantastic, innovative and creative businesses in the Illawarra.

Businesses, like the Action Park, that are committed to the region and want to invest here.

The Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund is about helping and supporting both these businesses and the region as a whole.

I would like to congratulate Jamberoo Action Park on their expansion and continued commitment to the Illawarra.

I am sure that many thousands of people will enjoy the new thrills and excitement on offer here.