The nbl weren't allowing them to use the Illawarra name unless they met benchmarks regarding local engagement, membership and local based sponsorship. They were able to do that and the nbl agreed to give the location name back.
It was originally the Illawarra Hawks before being changed to Wollongong in 1985, and reverting back to Illawarra in 2015 after a local takeover (which only lasted 5ish years, before going into administration)
I thought it was the Hawks just trying to make a bigger brand by not being tied to a geographical location