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NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
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Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan

The NSW Government's vision for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region is: A sustainable future and a resilient community, capable of adapting to changing economic, social and environmental circumstances.

 

To achieve this vision the Government has set four goals for the region:

  • a region with a variety of housing choices, with homes that meet needs and lifestyles;
  • a region with communities that are strong, healthy and well-connected;
  • a region that makes appropriate use of agricultural and resource lands; and
  • a region that protects and enhances the natural environment.
Line of shops in Shellharbour Village

Vision

Vision

The vision for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region is for a sustainable future and a resilient community, capable of adapting to changing economic, social and environmental circumstances.

Read about this region's vision
Gerringong Road with grassy hills behind

Goal 1 - A prosperous Illawarra-Shoalhaven

Goal 1 - A prosperous Illawarra-Shoalhaven

In 2013, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region generated $16.2 billion in Gross Regional Product (GRP), making it the third-largest economic contributor to regional growth in NSW.

Read about a prosperous Illawarra-Shoalhaven
Gerringong's Elambra Housing Estate surrounded by farmland and hills

Goal 2 - A variety of housing choices with homes that meet needs and lifestyles

Goal 2 - A variety of housing choices with homes that meet needs and lifestyles

Providing housing choice to meet the community’s needs into the future, in locations that can sustain housing is a key objective of the Plan.

More on housing choices
Woman selling vegetables at Wollongong market with shoppers in distance

Goal 3 - A region with communities that are strong, healthy and well-connected

Goal 3 - A region with communities that are strong, healthy and well-connected

People come to the region because of the lifestyle opportunities available from the stunning coastal landscape. The NSW Government will use the appeal of the coast to grow its economy but not at the expense of this landscape.

More on lifestyle opportunities
Cows standing in field with trees and small buildings in the distance

Goal 4 - A region that makes appropriate use of agricultural and resource lands

Goal 4 - A region that makes appropriate use of agricultural and resource lands

The Illawarra-Shoalhaven region contains valuable natural resources including minerals, water, coal and construction materials. Drinking water for around 60 per cent of the State’s population is sourced from catchments partly located within the Illawarra-Shoalhaven.

Read about the natural resources in this region
Male and female hiking across coastal rocks with water in front of them

Goal 5 - A region that protects and enhances the natural environment

Goal 5 - A region that protects and enhances the natural environment

The Illawarra-Shoalhaven is home to an estimated 1,800 native plant species, including over 60 threatened plant species. Surveys have identified over 100 threatened animal species, 26 endangered ecological communities and 19,120 hectares of wetlands.

Read about this region's environmental values
Lighthouse with waves crashing against rocks and apartments in the distance at Wollongong Harbour

Glossary and end notes

Glossary and end notes

A list of definition and the reference source for this regional plan.

See the definitions and references for this plan