Nowra Riverfront Activation (NRAT)

In close collaboration with the local Aboriginal community, the Designing with Country Framework Report has developed Aboriginal design narratives and principles to support the future design and activation of the Precinct. This approach seeks to meaningfully embed Aboriginal knowledge and culture into the revised Nowra Riverfront masterplan from early on, following the Connecting with Country Framework (Government Architect of NSW) principles.

Through a series of co-design sessions with local Aboriginal community members, the Designing with Country Framework developed three overarching design principles – Cultural Landscapes, Accessibility and Water – with associated design elements and opportunities for interpretation allowing all users of the Precinct to interact with and appreciate local Aboriginal culture and heritage.

The Designing with Country Framework will inform the design of the central public open space, including further co-design with the Aboriginal community. The Nowra Riverfront Designing with Country Framework was developed by 100% Aboriginal owned design consultancy, Yerrabingin.

The Designing with Country Framework for the Nowra Riverfront has not been formally adopted by Council but will be considered by the Council at the appropriate point as part of a package of studies/investigations supporting future updates to the Nowra Riverfront Precinct masterplan and land use planning controls.

The Nowra Riverfront Designing with Country Framework Report is published in the ‘Document Library’ on this webpage.

The Nowra Riverfront Integrated Transport Plan, prepared by consultant Crossley Transport Planning, provides guidance and recommendations on the future transport requirements to support the vision for the Precinct. It analyses the Precinct using the Transport for NSW Movement and Place Framework to identify issues/challenges and opportunities to improve access to the Precinct for the local community and visitors. The Integrated Trasport Plan focuses on opportunities to support active and public transport, sustainable development, better connections within the Precinct (in particular, east-west across the Princes Highway) and better connections across the River and to the Nowra CBD.

The Integrated Transport Plan provides the framework for the development of a detailed traffic and transport plan which will follow shortly. It has not been formally adopted by Council but will be considered by the Council at the appropriate point as part of a package of studies/investigations supporting future updates to the Nowra Riverfront Precinct masterplan and land use planning controls.

The Nowra Riverfront Integrated Transport Plan is published in the ‘Document Library’ on this webpage.

Drawing on feedback from more than 700 people from a range of community engagement activities, urban consultancy arki­­_lab have prepared an Activation Plan for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct, showing how the precinct could look in the future and the strategic actions that would help achieve the vision.

You are invited to attend the Presentation of the Nowra Riverfront Activation Plan, to be held in The Gallery of the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Tuesday 15 August from 4-6pm.

The Nowra Riverfront Precinct Flood Impact and Risk Assessment (FIRA) has been prepared for Council and with assistance from the NSW Government’s Nowra Riverfront Advisory Taskforce to define the existing flood behaviour and to assess, and recommend measures to address, the potential impacts from the possible future development/activation of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct.

The FIRA considers how the Precinct as a whole, or component parts, could potentially be activated/developed in a manner that is compatible with its flood constraints and whether any resulting impacts are localised and/or able to be readily managed. It will support and inform land use planning processes, including potential changes to planning controls (e.g. zoning, building height) and future site-specific development controls to guide future development in the Precinct. It will address issues such as safe occupation and evacuation in flood events and identify further work that may be required.

The FIRA has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Floodplain Development Manual (2005) and the draft Flood Risk Management Guideline LU01 – Flood Impact and Risk Assessment, of the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual: the policy and manual for flood liable land (2023). The FIRA has not been formally adopted by the Council, but will be considered by the Council at the appropriate point as part of a package of studies/investigations supporting future updates to the Nowra Riverfront Precinct masterplan and land use planning controls.

The FIRA is available for the information of interested parties/stakeholders and the community.

The following information can be viewed in the Document Library on this web page:

• Nowra Riverfront FIRA: Executive Summary
• Nowra Riverfront FIRA: Full Report
• Nowra Riverfront FIRA: Map Compendium

We want to know if your ideas have been accurately reflected in this preliminary draft of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct Activation plan.

Council staff and representatives from urban consultancy arki_­lab want to hear your thoughts and feedback on the draft plan for the future activation of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct.

Where: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre
When: Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Time: 4pm to 6pm

Urban consultancy arki_lab has been engaged to facilitate a range of community engagement opportunities with key stakeholders and the broader community to inform the future Masterplan for the Nowra Riverfront precinct.

The Nowra Riverfront Advisory Taskforce (NRAT) was established in November 2020 by the NSW Government and is co-chaired by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and the Department of Regional NSW. Its role is to help ensure that the planning for the Riverfront is coordinated and aligned to other major projects underway, to identify and prioritise strategic development opportunities, and to drive the revitalisation of the Riverfront.

One of the Taskforce’s initial actions was to identify a range of planning studies and investigations that are needed to support future changes to the planning controls (including zoning and building heights) within the Riverfront.

The supporting studies that are now underway or planned include:

• Cross-Cultural Framework

Work has commenced on the preparation of a Cross-Cultural Framework for the Precinct. The work on the Framework is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government.

The Framework will engage with local Aboriginal leaders, knowledge holders and community early in the project to identify themes, narratives, storylines and opportunities for interpretation to ensure that Aboriginal cultural knowledge is valued and respected throughout the activation of the Nowra Riverfront. This approach follows that of ‘designing with country’, following the Connecting with Country Draft Framework (Government Architect NSW).

• Integrated Transport Plan

Work has commenced on the preparation of an Integrated Transport Plan for the Precinct to develop a movement and place assessment of the broader network to identify issues, opportunities and define transport infrastructure requirements. The Integrated Transport Plan is being funded by Council.

• Flood Impact and Risk Assessment

Work is advanced on the preparation of a detailed Flood Impact and Risk Assessment (FIRA) for the Precinct. The FIRA is a key piece of work given the nature of the precinct and it is jointly funded by Council and NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

The FIRA will provide detailed flood information and an assessment of risks to inform future changes to the planning controls (including zoning and building height) and detailed development controls for future development applications in the Precinct. The previously adopted Nowra Riverfront Leisure and Entertainment Precinct Master Plan noted that future planning controls will be dependent on detailed flood studies that consider the Precinct’s flood constraints and manage the potential flood risks created by future development. The FIRA will provide greater clarity on the flood risk and how these impacts can be managed.

The FIRA will include input from key agency stakeholders, including the State Emergency Service, NSW Department of Planning & Environment, Transport for NSW and Council, and will be a part of the package of documents to be publicly exhibited with the future Planning Proposal to amend planning controls.

• Open Space Concept Design

Work has been undertaken on the development of a landscape concept design for the proposed Central Open Space within the Precinct. The design work is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

The concept plan identifies and responds to key site opportunities and constraints. The outcomes of various other studies, including the FIRA and Cross-Cultural Strategic Framework, will further inform the Open Space Concept Design and subsequent Detailed Design.

• Utility Infrastructure Capability Assessment

Work has been undertaken on a Utility Infrastructure Capability Assessment for the Precinct. This assessment is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

The aim of the assessment is to determine the capacity of the precinct for key utilities including water, sewer, stormwater, electricity, gas and telecommunications, and identify any adjustments/updates or new infrastructure that would be needed to support the future development of land in the Precinct.

• Geotechnical / Acid Sulfate Soils / Contamination

A Geotechnical / Acid Sulfate Soils / Contamination study has been undertaken for the Precinct. The study is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

This study identifies any geotechnical, acid sulfate soils or contamination constraints in the Precinct to support and inform the envisaged development, with a focus on the proposed riverfront park and associated infrastructure (roads, drainage etc.). The study’s findings and recommendations will have regard to the current vision, strategic direction and proposed planning controls for the Precinct.

As part of the study, a number of field investigations will be carried out including bore hole and test pit sampling. Site tests were contained within Council owned/managed land and public road reserves.

The following studies are also planned to be completed to support the planning and redevelopment of the Precinct:

• Urban Design Review
• Economic Feasibility Analysis
• Site-specific Cultural Heritage studies
• Non-Indigenous Heritage Review
• Traffic/Transport Plan
• Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan
• Graham Lodge – Conservation Management Plan
• Social Impact (Housing Affordability) Study

The various studies or assessments are being co-funded by Council and the NSW Government and will form part of the package of documents to be publicly exhibited with the future Planning Proposal to amend the planning controls in the Precinct and support its redevelopment.

Shoalhaven City Council adopted the Nowra Riverfront Leisure and Entertainment Precinct Strategic Direction and Proposed Planning Controls Report on Tuesday 11 September 2018.

The Strategic Direction and Proposed Planning Controls Report were publicly exhibited in April/May 2018.

The key principles in the Strategic Direction for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct are to:

• Connect Nowra CBD to the riverfront
• Revitalise the riverfront
• Improve open space along the river.

The key objectives of the Nowra Riverfront Strategic Direction Report are to:

• Increase safety so that it’s a place that more people want to visit
• Enhance the open space so that it’s a place where it’s easier to spend more time
• Improve connections so that it’s a place that’s easier to find and easier to get around
• Strengthen the gateway to showcase the attractions and make it easier to access the place
• Be a catalyst for renewal – encourage investment and development to improve the quality of the place.

The NSW Government released the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 in May 2021. The Plan sets the strategic framework for the region. The revitalisation of the Nowra Riverfront is identified as a key contributor to achieving Objective 2 of the Plan, being ‘grow the region’s regional cities.’ Following the finalisation of the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041, the NSW Government committed to continue their work with key stakeholders on a range of initiatives including the activation of the Nowra Riverfront.