Nowra is growing and we’re taking steps to ensure that growth in this regionally significant centre is supported by new homes and employment opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population now and into the future.
The Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 identifies actions and collaboration activities to help Nowra reach its potential as the gateway to the NSW South Coast:
Action 2
Develop a strategic roadmap for Nowra City Centre to set a vision, identify actions, and guide inter-agency and inter-government collaboration.
Action 3
Develop employment precinct profiles for regionally significant industrial precincts, including the South Nowra Industrial Precinct.
Collaboration activity 5
Work with Shoalhaven City Council, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Transport for NSW, NSW Health, and other relevant stakeholders to drive the revitalisation of the Nowra Riverfront. This will assist in fast-tracking development of the precinct.
We've worked closely with Shoalhaven City Council and other stakeholders to progress work on these actions and collaboration activities to ensure we can support the community with new homes and employment opportunities for a region that is expected to welcome 43,000 new residents by 2041.
Nowra City Centre Strategic Roadmap
The Nowra City Centre Strategic Roadmap outlines a vision for the future of the city centre.
The roadmap is supported by expert analysis of market, planning, and investment conditions in Nowra City Centre and identifies 2 key actions for Shoalhaven City Council and the NSW Government to focus on to support the city centre to reach its growth potential. These actions include:
- Assistance is needed to stimulate development and economic growth within the city centre as previous changes to planning controls and the delivery of major public infrastructure projects has not led to increased private investment.
- A review of planning controls is required to confirm whether these controls remain fit for purpose following the introduction of new planning pathways such as the Housing Delivery Authority.
The Nowra City Centre Strategic Roadmap will help guide coordination between government, industry, and other local stakeholders to ensure that the vision for Nowra City Centre is achieved.
Revitalising the riverfront
Two rezoning proposals for sites located along the Shoalhaven River are now available for public feedback. They aim to deliver more social, affordable, and private market housing, while strengthening connections between the city centre and the riverfront. You can provide feedback on both proposals until 5:00 pm Wednesday 17 December 2025.
Nowra Riverfront Precinct
The Nowra Riverfront Precinct Rezoning Proposal has been developed by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and impacts a 3.4 hectare site near Scenic Drive, Hyam Street, and Bridge Road. The proposal will:
- allow up to 377 new homes to be built
- introduce a 2% affordable housing requirement to the site. This will allow for 7 affordable homes to be built which must be managed by a registered community housing provider
- apply new building heights of between 5-12 storeys at the Hyam Street, Scenic Drive and Bridge Road sub-precincts
- apply floor space ratios ranging from 0.6:1 to 2:1
- apply a number of site-specific provisions to manage commercial and residential development consistent with the overall precinct master plan.
For more information on the Nowra Riverfront Precinct Rezoning Proposal and to provide feedback, visit the NSW Planning Portal.
Mandalay Sub-Precinct
A second rezoning proposal known as the Mandalay Sub-Precinct Rezoning Proposal is also available for public feedback. This proposal has been developed by Homes NSW and impacts a 2.7 hectare site near Mandalay Avenue, Scenic Drive, and Hyam Street. The proposal will allow:
- approximately 530 new homes close to the new Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital, Nowra Library, Nowra Aquatic Centre and the Nowra Local Centre
- a minimum of 30% social and affordable housing across Homes NSW sites (approximately 100 homes)
- increase the building height limit from 2-storeys to between 3- to 6-storeys
- potential for new restaurants and cafes along the Nowra waterfront.
For more information on the Mandalay Sub-Precinct Rezoning Proposal and to provide feedback, visit the NSW Planning Portal.
We're hosting a community engagement session where you can drop by and speak with representatives from the Department about both proposals. The session will be held between 4:00 pm and 6:45 pm on Thursday 27 November 2025. To secure your place, register for a free ticket to the event.
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More information
Visit the NSW Planning Portal for further information on the Nowra Riverfront Precinct Rezoning and Mandalay Avenue Sub-Precinct Rezoning proposals.