Nowra Riverfront Precinct – Key Infrastructure Design

• Project StatusPlanning
• Where Shoalhaven River, Nowra 2541
• Estimated completion date30 June 2027
• Last reviewed 26 August 2026

The latest

25/08/2026 - Work completed or currently underway includes:
Review of Environmental Factors (REF) gap analysis
Survey investigations
Geotechnical investigations
Civil engineering concept development
Electrical concept development
Preliminary architectural design investigations.

About the project

The Nowra Riverfront Precinct is a strategically important waterfront area in the heart of Nowra, offering significant cultural, environmental and recreational value. Positioned along the Shoalhaven River, the precinct has long been recognised as a key opportunity for revitalisation, however its potential has been constrained by limited infrastructure, ageing facilities and flood-related challenges.

In February 2025, the Australian Government committed $5 million through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) to support the planning and development of the precinct. The funding was received in July 2025 and is being used to progress the investigations, planning and design work required to bring the precinct to an investment-ready stage.

The precinct has been the subject of extensive planning, investigations and community engagement over many years. Building on this work, a range of integrated technical and planning investigations have recently been completed, including:

• Integrated Water Cycle Management Planning
• Traffic and Transport Planning
• Economic Feasibility Assessment
• Precinct Master Planning
• Urban Design Studies

These investigations provide a coordinated framework for future development and will help guide investment, infrastructure delivery and planning controls across the precinct. These studies can be found at  https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/nowra-riverfront

The project is also being planned alongside several complementary initiatives, including the

• Nowra Bridge Access and Activation Project and Homes NSW's Mandalay Avenue Housing Renewal Project, ensuring an integrated approach to future growth and development.

Funding and Project Management 

Funding under the Australian Government's Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program was received in July 2025. NSW Public Works has been engaged as the external Project Manager and is working alongside Shoalhaven City Council to deliver the project and progress the precinct to investment-ready status.

Open Space Master Plan  Record D26/193063: Nowra River OSMP MP - FINAL (rev28.04.26)2

Council engaged local landscape architects Ayling & Drury to prepare the Nowra Riverfront Precinct Open Space Master Plan.

The Master Plan establishes a vision for a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable riverfront destination. Shaped by extensive community feedback and Designing with Country principles, the plan includes:

• Revitalisation of Paringa Park
• New public open spaces and play areas
• An events space near the Shoalhaven Swim Sport Fitness Centre
• Shared walking and cycling paths
• Improved parking and access
• A new wetland area to assist with flood management and stormwater treatment
• Opportunities for people to connect with nature and the river

The Open Space Master Plan will support future residential, mixed-use and hospitality development, creating new opportunities for people to live, work and visit the precinct.

Principal Design Consultant

GHD has been appointed as the project's Principal Design Consultant (PDC). As a multidisciplinary team of engineers, landscape architects, architects, environmental specialists and planners, GHD is responsible for progressing the detailed design of the precinct based on the adopted Open Space Master Plan.

Work completed or currently underway includes:

• Review of Environmental Factors (REF) gap analysis
• Survey investigations
• Geotechnical investigations
• Civil engineering concept development
• Electrical concept development
• Preliminary architectural design investigations

To find out more, visit the Nowra Riverfront Activation Get Involved web page.