ILLAWARRA–SHOALHAVEN REGIONAL PLAN November 2015 © Crown Copyright 2015 NSW Government ISBN 978-0-7313-3682-1 DiscLAIMER While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of printing, the State of NSW, its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance or upon the whole or any part of this document. Copyright Notice In keeping with the NSW Government’s commitment to encourage the availability of information, you are welcome to reproduce the material that appears in Illawarra– Shoalhaven Regional Plan for personal, in–house or non– commercial use without formal permission or charge. All other rights are reserved. 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ILLAWARRA - SHOALHAVEN REGIONAL PLAN 1 CONTENTS 3 FOREWORD 5 INTRODUCTION 11 VISION 13 DELIVERING THE PLAN 15 GOAL 1 - A prosperous Illawarra–Shoalhaven A variety of housing choices, with homes that meet GOAL 2 – 33 needs and lifestyles A region with communities that are strong, healthy GOAL 3 – 41 and well-connected A region that makes appropriate use of agricultural GOAL 4 – 47 and resource lands A region that protects and enhances the natural GOAL 5 – 51 environment 58 GLOSSARY 59 APPENDIX A - The Illawarra–Shoalhaven’s network of centres 60 APPENDIX B - Summary of actions 66 ENDNOTES 2 ILLAWARRA - SHOALHAVEN REGIONAL PLAN 3 PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY’S FOREWORD Having grown up, lived and worked in the A distinct difference for this new Plan for Illawarra and Shoalhaven my entire life, I know the region is the partnership between the our region‘s greatest asset is our local people. NSW Government and the local community But Governments have an obligation to look through the Illawarra Pilot Joint Organisation. beyond the horizon to identify the opportunities This partnership will oversee the Plan’s and challenges that will confront the future of implementation and delivery. our region. This is an evidence-based plan, predicated on By 2050 the population of the Illawarra- a sound understanding of both the historical Shoalhaven will be around half a million people. and current development of the region and the The region is home to one of Australia’s top 10 demands of population growth. It will deliver universities and an international trading port, on community expectations that growth should comprises a landscape of significant biodiversity be matched by more housing, jobs, business value, and delivered $16.2 billion in economic development and growth, infrastructure and output to the State in 2013 – the Illawarra and services whilst balancing the need to protect Shoalhaven is a region of national significance. what’s special about the environment of our region. Over 40 per cent of the region has recognised high environmental value, and agricultural I want to thank community members and productivity and resources are economically stakeholders for their contributions and and environmentally important to the region. participation in the discussion that accompanied The community has a strong attachment to the the Discussion Paper, the draft Plan and now landscape as it allows residents to experience this final Plan. The next phase of work is equally some of the most enviable lifestyles in the State. critical and I hope all levels of government, the community and stakeholders will work Together with productive and diligent collaboratively to implement the Plan. We all businesses, thriving centres, a skilled workforce, share a common goal for a prosperous future and proximity to the nation’s only global city for the community of the Illawarra-Shoalhaven of Sydney make the region an attractive place with this plan to serve as a vehicle to help to live for current residents and a contributing harness the potential of a vibrant, diverse and factor in the forecast growth of this region over aspirational region. the next 20 years. The Regional Plan for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven is a plan for a sustainable future, founded on a strong, diversified economy that will generate high quality jobs; housing that meets the Top: changing needs of the community; a healthy, North Beach, resilient environment capable of meeting Gareth Ward Wollongong challenges such as climate change; and a well- Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra connected and socially cohesive community. Centre: and South Coast Kiama Lighthouse It aims to build a resilient community that is capable of adapting to changing social, Bottom: economic and environmental circumstances as Princes Highway well as embracing innovation and future growth bridge over the Shoalhaven River, and development. Nowra 4 ILLAWARRA - SHOALHAVEN REGIONAL PLAN 5 INTRODUCTION The Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan applies The make-up of the population will change to the Local Government Areas of Kiama, over the next 20 years. Growth will be Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wollongong. moderate in most age groups, except in the 65-and-over group, particularly in Kiama The defining feature of this region is the and Shoalhaven. There will also be more landscape. The spectacular escarpment, one- and two-person households. Growth coastline, waterways, lakes and rural will necessitate at least 35,400 new homes. hinterlands have contributed to the region’s rich biological diversity and natural resources. This Regional Plan for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven provides the strategic policy, planning and The region is home to an estimated 1,800 native decision-making framework to guide the plant species, including over 60 threatened region to sustainable growth over the next 20 plant species and over 100 threatened animal years. The Plan will be used to drive economic species. Biodiversity corridors extend from growth in the region. It integrates economic, the Woronora Plateau in the north, along social and environmental considerations the eastern escarpment and south along the in the interests of achieving ecologically coastal forests – interconnecting at intervals sustainable development for the region. with other high-value areas, such as Jervis Bay. The Plan makes developing a strong, Underlying the social, economic and diverse and competitive economy central environmental importance of the escarpment to building prosperity and resilience in the is that it also contains the water catchment region, to meet any economic, social and that provides the drinking water for almost environmental challenges that arise. 60 per cent of the State’s population. It focuses on a sustainable built environment The Aboriginal communities of the that requires urban areas to be designed, Illawarra-Shoalhaven retain strong planned and managed to improve their cultural connections to the region’s environmental performance. In doing so, coastline, hinterland and escarpment. it will make efficient use of urban lands, promote energy efficiency and support The landscape has concentrated settlement healthy and vital communities. into a narrow strip of suburban communities and coastal towns, focused on the transport The Plan adopts a balanced approach to corridors in the north of the region. The growth that maximises development in combined urban area of Wollongong both existing urban areas with their access and Shellharbour represents one of the to jobs, services and transport, and new top 10 largest urban areas in Australia. urban areas that will be designed to support In the Shoalhaven, settlement is more sustainability and healthy communities. dispersed – across 49 towns and villages. Underpinning the planning framework for By 2036, the population of the Illawarra- this Plan are the following key principles: Shoalhaven is forecast to grow to 463,150 identify and protect land with high – an increase of 60,400 from 2016. • environmental value and recognise Population growth will result from natural cultural heritage values; GPT Wollongong increase as well as the sustained migration Central, of young families and retirees looking to Metro Wollongong take advantage of the lifestyles on offer. 7 Wollongong Private Hospital Construction • support the sustainable use of land and • take a balanced approach to housing that water resources and build resilience to provides choice, affordability, and supports natural hazards and climate change; the orderly supply of land for development; • support a strong, resilient and • increase housing density around centres diversified economy that will enable the that have access to jobs and transport community to respond to environmental, and are already appealing to residents; economic and social challenges; • encourage urban design that reduces • integrate transport and land use car dependency, improves the public planning, and support improvements domain, promotes energy efficiency and in active transport (walking and supports healthier environments; and cycling), public transport and transport improve infrastructure coordination. infrastructure (including freight); • FIGURE 2: BUILDING THE PLAN • Based on previous plans and • New development avoids strategies (Coastal Lakes Inquiries, sensitive catchments Regional Conservation Plans, Catchment Action Plans) • Use planning to manage developments out of • Uses High Environmental sensitive catchments where Value mapping possible • Understand,