Share your ideas about Nowra Riverfront Precinct
Published on 21 February 2023
Members of the community can have an early say in helping shape the future activation of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct by sharing their values, aspirations and vision for the area in a series of consultation activities that begin this week.
The riverfront precinct has been the focus of initial planning by Council, formalised into a preliminary master plan in 2018 and supported by the NSW Government through the establishment of the Nowra Riverfront Advisory Taskforce (NRAT) in 2020.
The precinct extends along the foreshore of the Shoalhaven River near the southern side of the Nowra Bridge and is bound by Hawthorn Avenue to the east, Hyam Street and Graham Street to the south and Shoalhaven Street to the west.
Council is currently working through a range technical and cultural studies and plans necessary to determine how the Precinct could be used in the future. Many, including the flood study and integrated transport plan, are expected to be complete this year.
“While there’s still a lot of technical work to be done, we need to also understand the visions our community have for this precinct to develop a comprehensive plan for the precinct’s future,” said Mayor Amanda Findley.
“This precinct is the gateway to our city and activating it could change the way we interact with the riverfront and enhance the commercial opportunities within our city centre,” Cr Findley said.
“There has been a lot of talk about this project in our community and this is an opportunity for everyone to formally share their ideas to influence the future and activate this significant part of our city,” she said.
Early engagement has already begun to understand the aspirations of major landowners, both for their own land and for the wider Precinct.
Engagement with Aboriginal leaders, knowledge holders and community is also underway and will help to formulate a ’Connecting with Country’ framework for the precinct that ensures that Aboriginal cultural knowledge is valued and respected throughout the activation of the riverfront.
Community engagement will involve a series of interactive workshops and activities that will include a pop-up information stall at the Nowra Bridge Walk event, 5.30pm to 8pm Thursday 23 February. From this date, an online survey will be available until 31 March.
Further workshops are planned over the period March to June, with a presentation provided back to the community in the second half of 2023.
Information about the project and updates about the workshops and consultation dates will be shared on Council’s website.