Nowra Riverfront Precinct

The NSW Government is taking action to increase the supply of affordable low, medium and high-density housing, along with social housing, to meet the needs of our growing and diverse populations now and in the future. 

The Shoalhaven LGA is expected to grow by over 43,000 people by 2041. To plan for this growth we’re taking proactive steps to ensure that this community continues to have access to new homes. 

We’re now working closely with Shoalhaven City Council to plan for the city’s future and revitalise the Nowra Riverfront Precinct while creating a stronger connection between the riverfront and Nowra CBD. 

A state-led rezoning proposal for an area known as the Nowra Riverfront Precinct was made available for public feedback between 19 November and 17 December 2025. 

The Nowra Riverfront Precinct Rezoning Proposal will: 

• Allow up to 377 new homes to be built
• Introduce a 2 per cent affordable housing requirement to the site. This will allow for 7 affordable homes to be built which must be managed by a registered community housing provider
• Apply new building heights of between 5-12 storeys at the Hyam Street, Scenic Drive and Bridge Road sub-precincts.
• Apply floor space ratios ranging from 0.6:1 to 2:1.
• Apply a number of site-specific provisions to manage commercial and residential development consistent with the overall precinct master plan.  

View a fact sheet about the proposal.

Flood Impact and Risk Assessments have been prepared for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct, which also includes the Mandalay Sub-Precinct. The Department and Shoalhaven City Council have also committed to jointly fund a study to further investigate sewer and water servicing capacity in both precincts.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure would like to thank everyone who attended consultation sessions and provided valuable feedback on this proposal throughout the public exhibition period.  

Feedback is now being reviewed, and changes may be made to the proposal where required to respond to this feedback. A final rezoning proposal will then be sent to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for consideration and determination.