Nowra Riverfront Precinct Activation

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Industry (DPHI) is now seeking feedback from the Shoalhaven community on two rezoning proposals within the Nowra Riverfront Precinct.

The first proposal relates to the proposed rezoning of 3.4 hectares of waterfront land within the western area of the precinct. The second, separate rezoning proposal lodged by Homes NSW would enable delivery of approximately 537 dwellings in the Mandalay Avenue Precinct. More details on each of the proposals is provided below.

A community drop-in information session will be held at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Thursday 27 November from 4:00pm to 6:30pm.

Rezoning Proposal 1 (marked yellow, orange and red on the map)

This proposal seeks to amend Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LEP) to increase the maximum building height at the Scenic Drive, Hyam Street and Bridge Road sub-precincts. If approved, the rezoning would facilitate development for up to 377 new homes and associated commercial/retail premises, to activate the riverfront into a community, cultural and recreational hub.

This is a State-led rezoning (SLR) being undertaken in collaboration with Council and the Nowra Riverfront Advisory Taskforce under the State Significant Rezoning Policy.

View the Explanation of Intended Effect and supporting documents and provide your feedback to the NSW Government by Wednesday 17 December 2025.

Enquiries should be directed to the NSW Government’s State-led Rezoning Team.

Rezoning Proposal 2 (marked in blue on the map)

This rezoning proposal has been lodged by Homes NSW to enable the delivery of approximately 537 dwellings within the Mandalay Avenue Sub-precinct. At least 30 per cent of the new dwellings delivered by Homes NSW will be social and affordable housing.

This is a State Assessed Rezoning Proposal under the NSW Government’s Prioritising rezonings that deliver social and affordable housing program.

View the Mandalay Avenue Precinct Planning Proposal and provide your feedback to the NSW Government by Wednesday 17 December 2025.

Enquiries should be directed to the NSW Government’s State-Assessed Rezoning Team.

Council will progress the next stage of collaborative work to activate the Nowra Riverfront Precinct after recently finalising the funding deed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Shoalhaven in January 2025 to announce $5 million in Australian Government funding under the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

The funding will initially allow Council to finalise an Open Space Masterplan, which Council aims to exhibit alongside the NSW Government’s State Assessed Rezoning Proposal and supporting draft Development Control Plan Chapter for community feedback later this year.

The State-Assessed Rezoning Proposal will seek changes to planning controls to enable up to 270 homes to be delivered in the Hyam Street, Scenic Drive and Bridge Road sub-precincts.

The regional Precincts and Partnerships Program will also fund the preparation of detailed designs for the Precinct’s key enabling infrastructure (new central open space, road access, paths and drainage) which will support future housing development in the Nowra Riverfront Precinct and across the City Centre.

The funding deed was finalised in June with Council receiving the first $3 million instalment in July.

This work will build on the vision in the Nowra Riverfront Activation Plan, shaped through direct input from the local community.

On 4 March 2025, the Minns Government, in partnership with Shoalhaven City Council, announced that two major housing projects in the Nowra Riverfront Precinct will be fast tracked for development.

Nowra’s Riverfront Precinct has been identified for major urban rejuvenation as 3.4 hectares of waterfront land will be rezoned for increased residential density under the State Significant Rezoning Policy. Building Height variations are proposed across the Nowra Riverfront Precinct which will allow for an estimated 270 new homes to be built. This development supports the strategic goals set out in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 to stimulate the area’s reactivation and economic growth.

The NSW Government will now progress the project through a streamlined State Rezoning Pathway. This will allow the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to finalise the project’s technical studies in collaboration with Shoalhaven City Council, to inform the Planning Proposal. The Department will play a central coordinating role with stakeholders and enable the acceleration of this significant Precinct.

At the same time, Homes NSW is progressing with a proposal to rezone the Mandalay Precinct, to develop up to 380 new homes on the site, delivering a mix of social, affordable and private housing.

This activation will leverage recent NSW Government investment in the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment, upgrade of the Princes Highway and delivery of the new Shoalhaven River Bridge, as well as Shoalhaven City Council’s proposal for public improvements along the foreshore.

These are exciting announcements for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct and will be progressed alongside the planning for the activation of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct and development of a Masterplan for the Precinct’s Activation.

Vie the Media Release here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/news/650-new-homes-shoalhaven-part-plans-nowra-riverfront-precinct

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On 14 January 2025, the Albanese Government awarded Council $5 million in funding, under the Federal Government’s Regional Precinct and Partnership’s Program. The funding will enable Council, in collaboration with the NSW State Government, to continue work on planning for the activation of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct and develop a Master Plan for the Precinct’s Activation.

The Nowra Riverfront Precinct Activation project will realise a long-held community aspiration to reconnect Nowra’s city centre with the Shoalhaven River while elevating Nowra as the region’s civic, community, tourism and recreational hub. 

Thoughtful urban renewal and public realm improvements will create an activated and connected place for residents, workers and visitors. The Precinct’s vision features a central flagship park and leisure facilities, restored natural areas, improved accessibility, affordable housing and repurposing of the historic Nowra Bridge. First Nations knowledge and culture will be embedded in the Precinct design. Early delivery of public realm improvements will stimulate investment and renewal of surrounding built form.  

The funding will enable the completion of remaining planning investigations, the finalisation of the Precinct masterplan and the preparation of designs for key enabling infrastructure (new central open space/park, new road access and required drainage infrastructure). This work will build upon the Nowra Riverfront Activation Plan, which was developed with direct input from the local community.  

View the Media Release here: The Albanese Government delivering $5 million for Nowra Riverfront Precinct | Prime Minister of Australia

Stay Informed

To follow this project and receive updates, subscribe through the ‘Stay Informed’ tool on this webpage.