Outcome Snapshot: Community survey on the Open Space Masterplan (OSMP)
Thank you to everyone who took part in consultation on the Open Space Master Plan for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct.
Participation
- Over 3000 people visited the Nowra Riverfront Precinct Activation project page
- Over 900 people downloaded the OSMP
- 99 people contributed feedback on the OSMP community survey
Overall Sentiment
The community expressed strong support for the direction of the Open Space Master Plan:
- Many respondents strongly support improved walking and cycling connections
- A majority agreed that the OSMP’s proposed activities reflect their needs and interests
- Overall satisfaction was generally positive, though some participants raised concerns around feasibility, flooding and maintenance
Spaces People Liked Most
Across all space types—green spaces, urban areas and social activity areas—the following locations consistently stood out:
- Riverside Parkland & River Edge Walk
- Festival Area & Upper Promenade
- Picnic & Play Space
- Paringa Park
These spaces were identified as having the greatest appeal and potential for activation.
Top Priorities for Improvement
Participants highlighted several areas where improvements would make the biggest impact:
- Amenities and facilities (shade, seating, toilets, water, bins, wayfinding)
- Safety and comfort (lighting, visibility, passive surveillance)
- Accessibility and inclusion (universal access, ramps, path continuity)
- Activation and use (events, family spaces, social activities)
- Design and layout (clear paths, shade, intuitive structure)
- Environmental considerations (flood resilience, ecological protection)
Areas Where People Want Improvements
The survey identified several key areas for targeted upgrades:
- Festival Area & Upper Promenade
- Riverside Parkland & River Edge Walk
- Eastern Precinct & Bridge Underpass
- Picnic & Play Space
- Additional comments also referenced Paringa Park and the Southern Open Space Area
What People Said in Their Comments
Common themes included:
- The need for better amenities (shade, seating, toilets, water, bins)
- Ensuring safe and well‑lit spaces, particularly along key pathways
- Parking and traffic concerns during peak use and events
- Desire for clear, accessible pathways and wayfinding
- Strong interest in events and activation, including markets and social gatherings
- Care for the river, vegetation, and environmental impacts
- Awareness of cost, staging and affordability
How This Feedback Will Be Used
Your feedback is shaping the next stage of planning. A Principal Design Consultant (PDC) will be engaged in May 2026 to prepare the detailed design package. This phase will translate the OSMP vision into fully resolved design documentation, incorporating:
- Community‑identified priorities
- Accessibility and safety improvements
- Landscape and environmental considerations
- Activation and event‑ready spaces
- Infrastructure requirements and staging
- Coordination with adjacent precinct planning
The detailed design work will ensure that key themes raised through the OSMP consultation—such as amenities, shade, lighting, pathway connectivity, activation opportunities and environmental care—are embedded into the final layouts.
