A landmark plan that will help shape community infrastructure across the Shoalhaven for the next three decades has been adopted by Council.
At the Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to adopt the Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CISP) and Action Plan 2026-56, providing a long-term roadmap for community facilities including pools, parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, cultural venues and community buildings.
Mayor Patricia White said the plan is the culmination of more than two years of work, bringing together the views of thousands of community members about the places and facilities they value most.
“This is the first time Council has had such a comprehensive picture of the condition of our facilities, the needs of our growing communities and the priorities that our residents have identified for the future,” Cr White said.
“The CISP gives Council a clear evidence base to help inform where infrastructure investment is most needed and how future opportunities fit within a broader strategic vision for the Shoalhaven,” she said.
Development of the plan involved four rounds of community consultation and more than 7,900 survey responses, with the draft CISP achieving 74 per cent community support during public exhibition. The final document provides recommendations for 648 community infrastructure assets across the Shoalhaven and identifies more than $800 million in investment needs over the next 30 years.
Adoption of the CISP provides Council with a visionary guide to support planning, advocacy and future investment decisions. It outlines community infrastructure needs across the Shoalhaven, helping staff prepare projects for delivery when funding opportunities arise and ensuring individual facilities and communities are not overlooked over time.
While the CISP establishes a strategic framework for the future, adoption of the plan does not commit Council to implementing every recommendation. Most recommendations will require separate consideration by Council, including assessment of affordability, financial sustainability, competing priorities and funding opportunities.
The plan is also clear that delivery of many recommendations will depend on securing grant funding, together with Council’s capacity to contribute financially and meet ongoing maintenance and operational costs.
Planning for several recommendations is already underway, including investigations into priority playground renewals at Davis Park in Nowra, Sullivan Park in Worrigee and Rannoch Reserve in West Nowra. Master planning work is also set to begin for the Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct, including the Bomaderry Aquatic Centre. The plan will also provide confidence for sporting and community organisations seeking to progress community-led projects, including a range of groups already engaging with Council in the Milton Ulladulla region.
The CISP will be monitored through annual progress reporting and reviewed every five years to ensure it remains responsive to changing community needs and circumstances.
View the adopted Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan and Action Plan 2026-56 on Council’s website.
