Background_E_Market_Assessment - Shoalhaven City Council ...

Nowra CBD Master Plan – Market Assessment2. INTRODUCTION2.1 Study BackgroundThe NSW State Government predicts the Nowra-Bomaderry area will double in population over the next 30 years. As aresult, how and where those homes and subsequent demand on retail floorspace capacity could be located is one of thechallenges facing Shoalhaven City Council.Nowra is the largest coastal urban centre between Wollongong and the Victorian border with a population of around31,000 persons. The Shoalhaven’s proximity to coastal beaches, and the larger metropolitan centres of Sydney (2hours), Canberra (2.5 hours) and Wollongong (1 hour) make the area subject to significant growth pressures. The retailcentre was historically dissected by the Princes Highway. In the 1980’s, the Highway was deviated around the retailcentre. Nowra Fair (now Stockland Nowra) was constructed shortly after (1983) on its eastern side. This meant that theCBD was once again dissected by the Highway.As a result of increasing development pressure, and significant forecast population growth, Hill PDA has been engagedas sub-consultants to ARUP for the preparation of a Master Plan for Nowra CBD. The Master Plan and outer study areaboundaries are illustrated below.Figure 1 - Study AreaSource: ARUP July 2010C09143 Page 12 Hill PDA