Regional Projects

A number of major developments and industry precincts are being developed in the Shoalhaven and most provide employment and supplier opportunities. Council is supporting the concept of precincts, to encourage complimentary industries to be in close proximity. 

Major Regional Projects (under construction)
   Gerringong to Bomaderry (Princes Highway) realignment  
   Shoalhaven Starches Plant - Ethanol Expansion
   Kangaroo Valley sewerage scheme
   HMAS Creswell redevelopment
   HMAS Albatross redevelopment
   HMAS Albatross - LEAP Phase 2
   Huskisson Hotel Redevelopment
   South Nowra (Princes Highway) upgrade

Major Regional Projects (undergoing planning assessment)  
   Bamarang Power Station   
   Shaolin Temple
   Golf Club, Tourist Accommodation, Sand Extraction - Gerroa

Major Regional Projects (Recently completed)
   Hampton Bridge Update - Kangaroo Valley 
   Main Road 92 (Nowra to Nerriga)
   Mt Conjola (Princes Highway) realignment
   South Coast Correctional Centre 

Regional Planning Context
South Coast Regional Plan
Nowra Bomaderry Structure Plan
Networks

2011 Illawarra Budget

From the Hansard of the NSW State Government the statement details the allocated for the 2011-12 budget to the Illawarra.  The following items have been allocated to the Shoalhaven.

• $14.6 milliion for 82 more nurses in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven Local Health District
• $800,000 additional medical, nursing and allied health staff for renal dialysis services at Milton Ulladulla
• $10 milliion for expansion and car parking at Shoalhaven District Hospital at Nowra
• $16.5 million for Illawarra and Shoalhaven Regional Cancer Centres and Wollongong Hospital Elective Surgery Unit
• New gymnasiums at Bomaderry High School
• Upgrade Nowra TAFE
• $35 million for Gerringong to Bomaderry upgrade of the Princes Highway
• $900,000 for a new respite centre in Nowra

Major Regional Projects (Under Construction)

Gerringong to Bomaderry (Princes Highway) realignment

The NSW Government is planning a program of work to upgrade the Princes Highway between Gerringong and Bomaderry. The estimate for the total project is in the order of $830million.

The section to be upgraded extends from the Mount Pleasant Lookout north of Gerringong to the Cambewarra and Moss Vale roads intersection at Bomaderry in the south. It will include a Berry Bypass. It is to be delivered in 3 distinct sections:

• Gerringong to Toolijooa
• Foxground to Berry bypass
• Berry to Bomaderry upgrade

A contract for the first stage of the project - Gerringong to Toolijooa, was awarded in October 2011. This section of the overall project will provide approximately 7.5 kilometres of upgraded highway and include two new interchanges providing access to Gerringong and Gerroa.

The Princes Highway is the main link from Sydney and the Illawarra region to the Shoalhaven, south and far south coast of New South Wales and north eastern Victoria.

Shoalhaven Starches Plant – Ethanol Expansion

Expansion to ethanol production, up to 300 million litres/yr and includes installation of a gas pipeline (approx. 4km long), a gas fired co-generation plant, a water treatment plant, packaging plant, container storage and additional fermenters, dryers, evaporators and decanters.

For further information – NSW Planning (Major Projects)

Kangaroo Valley sewerage scheme

The main objectives for this upgrade are to improve the system of sewerage collection and treatment for the village. Perhaps just as important given the dry Australian climate, another major objective is to connect Kangaroo Valley into the Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (REMS) which will provide vital irrigation to farms and recreational facilities around the region.

Shoalhaven Water - Project site

Update

Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) and the NSW Office of Water (NOW), with the assistance of the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) are developing a sewerage scheme to serve the village of Kangaroo Valley.

Following the environmental assessment and determination of the Kangaroo Valley Sewerage Scheme (in 2008) there has been a change to the sitting of the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) and irrigation area. As a result, the size of the transfer main required to cross the Kangaroo River has been decreased, and directional drilling for this connection may no longer be required due to alternative arrangements which are currently being negotiated with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

The EIS assessed (the then preferred) Site D3 as the location for the WRF and associated irrigation infrastructure. However, an agreement with the landowners was unable to be reached and Site D3 is no longer considered to be viable. Site C (C1), situated on a diary farm located about two kilometers east of the village of Kangaroo Valley and north of Moss Vale Road, is now the preferred site.

A reticulation system would collect and transfer wastewater from all residences and business premises in the developed area of Kangaroo Valley village, plus the residences and business premises at Barrengarry.

The reticulation system would be a pressure sewerage system, which would be pressurised by pumps at each service connection. Each property would be served by a grinder pump, which would macerate the wastewater prior to it being pumped to the WRF at Site C (C1). Appropriate odour control systems would be utilised to minimise odour generation from the reticulation system.

The project modifications have been assessed in a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) which includes:

• The construction and operation of the WRF and associated reclaimed water storage dams, irrigation systems and areas.
• The construction of an access road from Moss Vale Road to the WRF, including associated services and connecting sewerage pipeline.

The REF has been on public exhibition and submissions were invited.

HMAS Albatross - LEAP Phase 2

A total of 3,015 permanent units will be delivered at 14 defence force bases in every Australian mainland State and Territory. The project is fundamental to the ongoing recruitment and retention of high quality young people in the Australian Defence Forces.

The new facilities offer independent living accommodation for Australian Defence Force personnel. It will dramatically improve the living-in accommodation able to be provided to single servicemen and servicewomen across Australia.

HMAS Albatross will recieve 170 of these units by late 2013.

Plenary Group website
Infrastructure website

South Nowra (Princes Highway) upgrade & duplication

The NSW Government is upgrading 6.3 kilometres of the Princes Highway to four lanes between Kinghorne Street and Forest Road at South Nowra.

The RTA has completed an environmental impact assessment and detailed design of this project. The RTA is now undertaking pre-construction activities including property acquisitions and preliminary utility relocations.

Benefits

• Complete consistent four lane conditions on the Princes Highway between Bomaderry and Jervis Bay Road.

• Improved road safety by reducing conflicts between through traffic and local traffic accessing business premises.
• Improved road safety by providing a central median, along with more opportunities to safely overtake slower vehicles.
• Improved travel times and reduce vehicle operating costs through increased road and intersection capacity.
• Improved access to many business properties.
• Improved safety and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

Key features

• Enhanced travel efficiency for through traffic with the provision of three lanes on the eastern side of the highway between Quinns Lane and Warra Warra Road.
• A 2.5 metre wide shared footpath / cycleway on the eastern side of the highway between McKay Street and Warra Warra Road for cyclists and pedestrians.
• An on road cycle facility south of Warra Warra Road.
• Pedestrian activated traffic lights on the Princes Highway at the Park Road cul-de-sac.
• Changes to Nowra Hill Road to a left in, left out intersection.
• Relocation of the existing BTU Road intersection to approximately 400 metres north of its existing location. The new intersection will be reconstructed to allow all turning movements.
• Reconstruction of the Forest Road intersection to allow all turning movements.
• A dual lane roundabout at the junction with Hillcrest Avenue.
• A heavy vehicle inspection area to the south of Hillcrest Avenue.
• Formal modification of the existing service road between Quinns Lane and Central Avenue to a two lane road on the western side of the highway for improved road safety. 

For more information go to the Princes Highway upgrade –Sth Nowra project website by clicking on the link. Princes Highway upgrade – South Nowra

Shoalhaven City Council is a major contributor to this project in the inclusion of shared footpath works along the route.

Major Regional Projects (undergoing planning assessment)

Bamarang Power Station

The NSW Government’s Energy Reform Strategy identified the Bamarang site as one of seven NSW energy infrastructure development sites to be made available for sale. In accordance with this, Delta untertook consent modifications and negotiated a water supply option agreement in 2009/10.

Delta Electricity (the Proponent) has sought a modification to the Bamarang Gas Fired Station concept plan and Stage 1 approvals to pursue the option of developing a 330 kilovolt transmission line between the approved facilities site and the existing TransGrid 330 kilovolt transmission network approximately five kilometres to the west, to connect the electricity generated at the power station to the grid.

Project Approval for Stage 1 of the project, two open cycle gas turbines and associated infrastructure with a power generating capacity of approximately 300MW, was granted on 27 January 2007. Project approval for Stage 2, comprising the conversion of Stage 1 into a combined cycle facility of approximately 400MW, was granted on 29 October 2008.

For further information –NSW Planning (Major Projects) Stage 1 and NSW Planning (Major Projects) Stage 2

Shaolin Temple

The proposed development is for a Shaolin Village which will be a high quality tourist and residential complex run by the Shaolin Buddhist order. The Village will accommodate:

• Buddhist Temple Sanctuary with religious facilities, convention centre, amphitheatre and cultural centre, with residential accommodation for resident monks within the religious complex (numbers currently unknown);
• Kung-Fu Academy for up to 500 students with residential accommodation within the Academy;
• Agricultural and herbal farm for traditional medicinal uses;
• 500 bed 4 star hotel with ancillary rooms for staff accommodation (up to 30 rooms);
• up to 300 dwellings comprising:
    - self-contained independent living villas/ adaptable housing for the aged;
    - detached and medium density residential developments;
• small retail, commercial, professional and community services centre; and
• 27 hole golf course and associated clubhouse (optional).

The overall development will be sited within a landscaped setting.

For further information – NSW Planning (Major Projects)

Major Regional Projects (Recently completed)

Hampton Bridge Upgrade - Kangaroo Valley

Background

Hampden Bridge is located on Moss Vale Road at Kangaroo Valley and has historic, technical, aesthetic, social and functional significance. It was the second major suspension bridge constructed in NSW and is now the only surviving example of a late nineteenth century timber decked vehicular suspension bridge in NSW.

Overview of the restoration project

The RTA undertook a major restoration project on Hampden Bridge to ensure the bridge's functionality and heritage values are retained into the future. The restoration work will include:
• Replacing the entire timber deck of the bridge.
• Reinforcing the abutments on both sides of the bridge.
• Refurbishing the four bridge bearings.

The work aws completed in mid 2011 following extensive consultation with the Kangaroo Valley community.

The major restoration work was undertaken in two seven week blocks of time and Hampden Bridge remained open for the majority of the work with closures limited to midweek evenings only.

More information

RTA Website for Hampton Bridge Upgrade

To view or download the latest community update, click here.
 

Main Road 92

Overview

Main Road 92 (MR92) is the initial stage of creating a sealed route between the coast and the inland Hume Highway corridor. At present the 54 kilometre section of MR92 between HMAS Albatross (10km southwest of Nowra) and Nerriga has been upgraded and sealed by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Shoalhaven City Council.

Download Mud Maps

Travelling East - 242Kb (new window)
Travelling West - 203Kb (new window)

History

Funding of $80 million was announced in January 2001, comprising $34 million each from the NSW and Australian governments and $12 million from Shoalhaven City Council. An additional $15 million was provided in February 2009 by the NSW Government to complete the full length of the upgrade.

The project was constructed in stages. The eastern 24 kilometre section (Hames Road to eastern boundary of Morton National Park) was constructed by Cut and Fill Pty Ltd. It was opened to traffic in June 2007 and included the reconfiguration of the Turpentine Road junction and realignment of four kilometres at Georges Yard, 18 kilometres west of Hames Road.

Stage two, the western nine kilometres from Bulee to Nerriga was constructed by NACE Civil Engineering Pty Ltd. This stage of the upgrade, from the Touga Road junction (just east of the Bulee mountain area at Billy’s Hill) to Nerriga, was officially opened to traffic in September 2009.

The work included major improvements, widening, realigning and sealing to the existing steep and narrow section from Bulee Gap to the Endrick River. A new four span concrete bridge near Bulee Gap and high retaining walls have been constructed to conserve the “beehive” rock formations and colonial features in the Bulee Heritage Area at the western end of Morton National Park.

The final stage of work started in July 2009 and was completed in October 2010.

The project provides a two lane sealed road from Nowra on the Coast, to Nerriga approximately 60km inland.

Shoalhaven City Council supports the establishment of the link beyond Nerriga to proceed to the west through Tarago and Bungendore into Queanbeyan and Canberra. A shorter link to the Hume Highway from Tarago through Collector and on to Gunning is proposed as a future link.

To view further information regarding this project follow link (new window) to RTA website.

Mt Conjola (Princes Highway) realignment

The RTA has realigned 3.5 kilometres of the Princes Highway at Conjola Mountain. The $58 million project was jointly funded with the NSW Government providing $48 million and the Australian Government $10 million from the Auslink Strategic Regional Program. The Southern Councils Group arranged the Australian Government funding.

The Princes Highway is the main road link for traffic travelling between Sydney and Wollongong and the South Coast. Conjola Mountain is located approximately 46 kilometres south of Nowra.

Construction commenced in 2008, and was completed in 2010.

Project benefits

Improved safety and travel conditions on a better highway alignment and on the new two-lane Conjola Creek Bridge designed for a 1 in 100 year flood event.

Improved access for residents including the provision of two new underpasses.

Improved traffic flow by providing a new northbound overtaking lane between Conjola Creek Bridge and Bendalong Road (Red Head Road).

South Coast Correctional Centre

Artists impression of South Coast Correctional Centre Gatehouse

The South Coast Correctional Centre is located in South Nowra 5 kilometres from the CBD. Construction commenced in July 2008 and was completed and became operational in December 2010.

The South Coast Correctional Centre is a multi-classification regional correctional centre for adult offenders. It will mainly house offenders who have been sentenced in the Illawarra/South Coast region, or who have family/community ties to the area. The South Coast Correctional Centre provides secure facilities for male and female offenders, from maximum through to minimum security. As a reception correctional centre the facility will also house those unsentenced offenders who have been remanded in custody awaiting court.

Further information from Corrective Services NSW and NSW Planning (Major Projects) Stage 1 and NSW Planning (Major Projects) Stage 2 

Huskisson Hotel Redevelopment

This proposal is for mixed use development comprising tourist, permanent accommodation, and associated facilities incorporating the existing hotel. Construction commenced in 2011.

For further information – NSW Planning (Major Projects)

Golf Club, Tourist Accommodation, Sand Extraction – Gerroa

The proposal includes the following:

* Reinstatement of 10-20 ha of fresh water wetlands within Foy's Swamp.
* Excavation of rock/clay and extraction of sand for site fill and creation of water quality pond.
* Construction of an 18-hole golf course (championship standard).
* Construction of integrated tourist facilities, including access roads, car park areas, clubhouse, and up to
   100 short-term stay accommodations (1 to 4 bedroom apartments).
* Construction of a storm water system and connection to Gerroa Sewerage Treatment Plant.

For further information – NSW Planning (Major Projects)

Regional Planning Context

Nowra Bomaderry Structure Plan

South Coast Regional Plan

 The South Coast features some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in NSW with unspoilt beaches interspersed with rugged headlands and more than half of the State's coastal lakes and lagoons. 

By 2031, the region's population is expected to reach 226,000 - an increase of 36%. This strategy will guide sustainable growth, providing places to live and work while protecting valuable agricultural and natural assets. 

The NSW Government's 25-year land use strategy:

• protects sensitive coastal areas, productive agricultural land and natural resources including water resources and threatened flora and fauna
• caters for 60,000 more people, 45,600 new dwellings and a variety of house styles to suit smaller households and an aging community
• locates new development in the right places by promoting growth of existing centres rather than any new towns or villages, and reviewing urban lands in sensitive locations
• supplies well-located employment lands to support an extra 25,800 jobs, particularly in the tourism and aged care sectors
• protects the unique character of the South Coast - its rural and coastal towns and villages and pristine natural landscapes.

The strategy will guide local planning in the three local government areas of Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley and will be reviewed every five years.

• South Coast Regional Strategy - in full, including all maps
• Map 1: South Coast Regional Strategy
• Map 2: Biodiversity and coastal assets
• Map 3: Water resources
• Fact sheet: South Coast Regional Strategy - facts and figures
• Fact sheets: How the South Coast Strategy will help:
  • Shoalhaven
  • Eurobodalla
  • Bega Valley

Industry Sector Development

The Shoalhaven’s Economic Development Office will also be actively developing emerging industry sectors such as:

Defence and Aviation
Agribusiness
Screen Shoalhaven

You can gather further information about these Networks through the Economic Development Office, or by clicking on each of the links above or by going to the Networks page.