Background and History
The Showground has a range of significant buildings and other facilities, including several with important heritage values. The vista from the Showground is spectacular and an underutilised drawcard for visitors to the Shoalhaven. The Showground forms part of a corridor of public land that extends along the Shoalhaven River and Nowra Creek. This open space is within walking distance of the CBD of Nowra and forms an important passive recreation area, as well as providing for various active recreational pursuits and sports. The Showground is also bounded by Nowra Reserve which extends along the Shoalhaven River. Bens Walk is a flat trail that wanders along Shoalhaven River foreshore and Nowra Creek, a 5.5 kilometre nature walk in the heart of Nowra. Bens Walk is accessed by two points within the Nowra Showground adding to the attractiveness of the Showground for visitors.
The Nowra Showground is an important public space used by many people, both Shoalhaven residents and visitors, with flow-on social and commercial benefits to the local community. This multi-functional site, a major recreational centre in Nowra, is of high social value for past and present generations.
The Nowra Showground has been a significant area of open space for the Nowra community for more than a century with land dedicated as a recreation reserve in 1881. In 1884, more than 230 ornamental trees were planted at the Showground, donated by the Botanic Gardens in Sydney. In 1886 the first Nowra Show was held at the Nowra Showgrounds. The Nowra Show has been held every year since - apart from 1929 (when it was cancelled due to no access to town water because of prolonged drought), and 1942 (cancelled due to war effort and military occupation of Showground).
This project is to enhance assets within the Nowra Showground in order to attract key agricultural events and visitors to the region. In addition, upgrades to amenities, the new amenities block and pathways will be constructed to meet access guidelines thereby supporting inclusive tourism outcomes. A number of enhancements within the project also have environmental outcomes.
