InfrastructureHarrison CaithnessThu 06 Aug 26
Covers Come off NSW’s 117,000 Home Plan for Illawarra Shoalhaven
NSW state government has unveiled an updated 20-year plan for the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
The draft—which would replace the plans for 2021—proposes 117,000 homes to be delivered by 2046 as well as new and improved roads, schools and health services.
Eighty per cent of the new homes would be slated for urban infill in such centres as Wollongong, Shellharbour, Bowral, Kiama and Nowra.
In 2019, the state planning department forecast a need for 58,000 more homes in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region by 2041.
The state draft plan highlights existing projects including rezonings at Bellambi, Shellharbour and Nowra to unlock about 7100 homes as well as the construction of 60 build-to-rent homes at Bomaderry.
A proposed rezoning of the Shellharbour Hospital Precinct currently in the pre-exhibition stage would add between 500 and 700 high-density homes on the 90ha precinct.
Wingecarribee LGA, which includes Bowral and Moss Vale, would be added to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Urban Development Program. It is responsible for new projects in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven.
The region’s population is currently 517,000 people, and is growing at 1.3 per cent a year—0.2 percentage points higher than the state average.
It is expected to grow by about 161,000 people over the next two decades.
“Including the Wingecarribee region for the first time recognises the growing social and economic connections between the Illawarra and south-west Sydney,” NSW planning minister Paul Scully said.
Scully said the plan’s job targets would drive employment at Port Kembla, the Wollongong Health Precinct, Shellharbour Airport and Nowra’s industrial area, “while also strengthening ties to the emerging innovation and investment hub that is Western Sydney Aerotropolis”.
The plan anticipates more than 45 per cent job growth—about 101,000 more jobs—by 2046.
In May last year the state announced the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone, the first urban zone of its kind in Australia, with an expected capacity of one gigawatt.
The region was chosen for its proximity to major energy, port and transport infrastructure and its skilled workforce to deliver rooftop solar, home and community-scale batteries.
Under that plan, spare Crown land and commercial roof space will be used for renewable energy, with initial options delivered by 2030.
The draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Plan is on exhibition until September 28.
