The Shoalhaven Riverfront Precinct at Nowra will be transformed, with $5 million announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Nowra today (Tuesday 14 January 2025).
The new precinct will transform Nowra for locals and visitors alike, shaping the future of the town and strengthening its role as the civic and tourism centre for the Shoalhaven region.
It will create an integrated space, incorporating parklands, accommodation, areas for commercial and social activities, as well as active transport links.
Today’s investment is supporting a precinct masterplan, detailed designs for the central open space, drainage, an access road, and a business case. It will help complete the planning, while early delivery of public space improvements will encourage private investment and renewal of the surrounding area.
Prime Minister Albanese said the project showcases the Government’s commitment to listening to, and working with, local communities, and addressing regional needs.
“My Government is building Australia’s future, today announcing we will deliver $5 million to create the Nowra Riverfront Precinct," he said.
“This project will transform Nowra and create a space that can be enjoyed by the local community and tourists for years to come.”
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the new mixed-use hub would reconnect Nowra city centre with the Shoalhaven River waterfront.
“As a long-time local, the Shoalhaven Riverfront has always held great personal significance to me. It’s where I grew up riding my bike from the farm to the Nowra Pool. It’s where I married, where I regularly swam with my family and community, and it’s where I fought so hard along with our community to save Nowra’s community swimming pool," she said.
“I’ve never lost sight of that as part of a revitalised riverfront. That’s why I’ve been fighting every single day to continue riverfront revitalisation for our community.
“To say I’m thrilled with this funding announcement today is an understatement. It is a pivotal piece in the puzzle of the always-longed-for revitalised riverfront.
“A revitalised Nowra Riverfront will mean huge benefits for our community with improved liveability and wellbeing options as well as being good for tourism, local businesses and jobs.”
The Albanese Government is building Australia’s future by delivering infrastructure that connects regional communities and eases the everyday lives of locals.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the
Nowra Riverfront Precinct had been a "long-held vision of the Shoalhaven City Council".
"I’m thrilled to be part of a government that believes in regional communities and is turning their dream into a reality," she added.
“Precincts like this not only give the community a space to gather and visitors a space to enjoy, but they transform towns by boosting local economies and shaping the everyday lives of locals.
“This new riverfront precinct, which will be beautifully integrated into Nowra, and will cement its role as the community and tourism hub of the Shoalhaven region.”
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Patricia White said she was "excited to be able to continue to progress the project with the NSW Government’s Nowra Rivefront Advisory Taskforce towards delivery".
"It presents a significant and long desired opportunity to shape the future of Nowra and strengthen its role as the civic, community, tourism and recreational hub for the Shoalhaven region," Cr White said.
“This funding will allow us to complete planning investigations and finalise the masterplan designs for the flagship riverfront park, and conduct further community consultation and a business case to facilitate investment in this foreshore precinct.”
It is funded through the Albanese Government’s regional Precincts and Partnership Program, which provides investment to transform regional, rural and remote places. For more information, visit: infrastructure.gov.au/regional.
For more information on the Nowra Riverfront Activation, visit: Nowra Riverfront Activation (NRAT) | Get Involved Shoalhaven.
