Around 1,300 new homes are set to be delivered across the NSW South Coast, with the State Government finalising three major rezonings in Nowra and Kiama aimed at increasing housing supply and supporting population growth.
The rezonings will transform underutilised land into new residential precincts, with up to 900 homes planned along the Shoalhaven River foreshore in Nowra and approximately 380 homes earmarked for a former council depot site in Kiama.
The Nowra Riverfront Precinct and Mandalay Sub-Precinct rezonings will enable a mix of housing, including social and affordable dwellings, alongside new hospitality venues and public spaces designed to activate the riverfront.
The Kiama rezoning covers a former council depot located near the town centre, beach and train station, creating opportunities for higher-density housing in a well-connected location.
The projects form part of broader efforts to increase housing supply across regional NSW while supporting local amenity and community infrastructure.
Under the final planning controls, at least 30 per cent of housing on Homes NSW land across the Nowra precincts will be dedicated to social and affordable housing, alongside a two per cent affordable housing requirement on private land. Building heights will range from five to 12 storeys in the Riverfront Precinct and up to six storeys in the Mandalay Sub-Precinct.
In Kiama, the development will include a minimum of ten per cent affordable housing in perpetuity, up to six-storey buildings and approximately 600 parking spaces.
The rezonings were refined following public consultation and feedback from local communities.
New South Wales Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Ryan Park, said the rezonings would help unlock well-located housing opportunities while supporting community growth.
“Whether it’s revitalising the Nowra riverfront or unlocking new housing opportunities in the heart of Kiama, these rezonings will deliver lasting benefits for the South Coast,” Park said.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said activating underutilised sites was an important part of addressing housing shortages.
“For too long, families have struggled to find somewhere to live, and activating underutilised sites allows us to deliver the new homes these families need,” Scully said.
“The New South Wales Government is getting on with the job of unlocking well-located sites close to transport, jobs and town centres and building the homes our communities need.”
New South Wales Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, said social and affordable housing would form an important component of the developments.
“Social and affordable housing is key to a strong housing system that is accessible for everyone and that’s exactly why we’re delivering it here,” Jackson said.
“These rezonings are about turning plans into homes, giving more people in Nowra and Kiama a safe, affordable place to live.”
The rezonings complement a range of major infrastructure and community investments underway across the South Coast, including the $440 million redevelopment of Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital, new education facilities and transport upgrades.
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