Tree and seachangers push rise in demand for co-working in the Illawarra

After successfully launching coworking spaces in Berry and Kiama, WorkLife founder Kate Dezarnaulds says demand is increasing for flexible workspace options in the Illawarra, prompting her to invest in a new state-of-the-art site in Coledale. 

 “2020 has been the year that has flipped everything on its head. People and companies are questioning what the new norm is when it comes to work and living. The trends are showing that more people are moving to regional areas and flexible working is here to stay,” says Kate. 

 “While our coworking business WorkLife was massively impacted by COVID-19 initially, I’m proud of how quickly and responsibly we were able to react while always putting our members safety first. It was a wild ride, holding on by our knuckles, but I’m pleased to now say that our old members are slowly returning and enquiries from new members are up by at least 35 per cent on the same time last year. 2021 is looking up. The main story we are hearing from new members is that they are looking to flee the CBD for a lovelier life in the coastal and country towns of the south coast, and who could blame them? COVID was the final push and now they are coming in droves.”

 WorkLife Coledale will open its doors on December 18 with a weekend Open House and curated makers salon showcasing a special collection of wares from local artists. The hope is that it will become a thriving hub of entrepreneurial and community activity, like its predecessors in Berry and Kiama. Six private office suites will be available from December 2020 with 20 coworking desks available from February 2021. The new site offers people the opportunity to work in a fully equipped, beautifully designed space that is fitted out with seamless technology and backed up by personalised service – without the set-up costs and time that going-it-alone would entail.

 “Coledale has a lot going for it, being only an hour from Sydney but with all the features of the spectacular coast. It makes sense why so many see it as having the best of both worlds. I see WorkLife Coledale as uniquely positioned to service local businesses of the North Wollongong area, plus people who do the semi-regular commute to Sydney who, thanks to COVID, are increasingly able to work closer to home,” says Kate. “WorkLife is also the only multi-site coworking space in the Illawarra and members are free to work across our three locations, plus they also have 18 days access to WorkClub’s five locations in Sydney and Melbourne thanks to our longstanding reciprocal membership arrangement.”

Kate says that coworking spaces fulfil a growing need for workers to have access to a ‘third space’ – not the office, not home.

 “Coworking is no longer just for start-ups and freelancers. We have noticed that our membership is diversifying to include academics, corporate employees and public sector employees, whose employers are now more likely to contribute to the cost of their membership as part of new workplace arrangements,” continues Kate. “However, the reality of moving to a regional area and working from home is more complicated than many people anticipate. It can be unproductive, isolating and lonely. What we have found, after establishing coworking communities in both Berry and Kiama, is that people really crave an option to mix up their work environment and connect with their community. At WorkLife we really thrive on helping to provide those links. Cultivating community is where the magic is for us.” 

That ethos is part of the reason why WorkLife has engaged local people and businesses to launch the new WorkLife Coledale site from the ground up. In addition to an open house weekend with a local artist market, the new community manager is long-time local resident Jane Fullerton-Smith. Jane is an actress, writer and former arts sustainability specialist that many in the community would know through her role as a wedding and end-of-life celebrant, or through Good With Wood, her husband’s construction business.

 “I have known Kate, the founder of WorkLife, for more than a decade. I have witnessed her kick goals in whatever role she filled across the creative industries and more recently her success with WorkLife Berry and Kiama,” says Jane. “It is therefore thrilling to be invited into her incredible team of talented, creative and entrepreneurial women to manage the new Coledale coworking space. I truly believe WorkLife Coledale offers a solution to many local business owners, where previously there was only a kitchen table or cafe hotspot and I look forward to personally welcoming each and every member to ensure they are fully supported so they may find balance, productivity and a community to share ideas and a coffee with.”

 With the help of leading local architects TAKT Studio for Architecture and builders J2 Build, WorkLife Coledale has created a range of beautiful spaces for people to move between throughout their day to suit all of their working needs. Alba Ergonomics, a local certified professional ergonomist, has helped with ergonomic design and provides education about workplace risk factors, signs and symptoms of discomfort. Individual workstation assessments are also available. Local IT specialists BMS Group have consulted on best practice data security and IT systems. 

 Curated by local creative Chrystie Longworth, the makers salon will kick of WorkLife Coledale’s regular exhibition program, with a special collection of wares from local artists such as Ceramics by Cobalt & Kin, Jewellery by Mel Young, Paintings by Anh Nguyen, Sculptures by Samantha Arnull, Bespoke tailoring by Tanya Nash, Fashion by Saffrine Nydeggar and Art by Bonnie Porter Greene.

 Kate says she is excited to see how the Coledale community develops.

 “With the fabulous EarthWalker & Co cafe right down the road, and the smell of the ocean in the breeze we already feel at home. There is even an outdoor shower so you can refresh after a dip in the iconic Coledale Ocean Pool just a stone’s throw away from your desk so you can have a dip in the ocean at lunchtime… now that’s a good work life!“

For more information and to book in worklife.org.au