The Illawarra Shoalhaven Plan

The plan identifies where new housing should be delivered and supports more housing choice in locations close to jobs, transport and services.

Most growth is planned within existing urban areas and key centres, with priority areas identified where infrastructure and services can support growth.

The plan works alongside the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy and the Transport Oriented Development program, which are already increasing housing opportunities in areas such as Corrimal, North Wollongong and Dapto.

Affordable housing will be supported through planning reforms, incentive-based bonuses to boost supply, and by identifying government owned land that can be used for housing and supporting infrastructure in the coming years.

The plan helps coordinate housing and infrastructure planning so investment in transport, schools, health services and open space is delivered where growth is expected.

It works alongside other plans, including the Infrastructure Opportunities Plan and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Transport Plan, which set out future improvements to transport and key services across the region.

The plan is supported by the Urban Development Program, which tracks housing supply, identifies where infrastructure is needed, and helps coordinate delivery across government agencies and councils.

While the plan does not directly allocate funding, it helps inform government investment priorities.

The plan supports jobs growth in the Illawarra Shoalhaven, with a target of more than 100,000 additional jobs by 2046.

It focuses on strengthening key employment areas, supporting industries such as advanced manufacturing, health, education and tourism, and improving connections between where people live and work.

The plan recognises the region's unique natural features, from the coast to the escarpment and the highlands and prioritises protecting important biodiversity areas as the region grows.

The plan directs development to appropriate locations and uses tools to manage urban sprawl, ensuring growth doesn't come at the expense of the environment.

It also promotes more sustainable communities, including energy-efficient homes, greener streets and high-quality public spaces, so growth improves both liveability and environmental outcomes.

Wingecarribee is included in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Plan because it has strong economic, environmental and strategic links with the rest of the region. The Southern Highlands plays an important role in supporting connections between the Illawarra Shoalhaven and the growing areas of south-west Sydney.

As part of this, key planning programs, including the Urban Development Program and Infrastructure Opportunities Plan, will be extended to Wingecarribee. This will support more coordinated delivery of housing, infrastructure and services across the region.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 was released in 2021. Regional plans are updated every 5 years to reflect new data, changing priorities and evolving community needs.

The new Illawarra Shoalhaven Plan 2046 builds on the previous 2041 plan but takes a more flexible, place-based approach, recognising that different parts of the Illawarra Shoalhaven have different strengths, challenges and opportunities.

It's one of the first region plans to be delivered under the proposed strategic planning framework and State Land Use Plan, and sets more defined priorities and actions, helping ensure progress over the short term while working toward a 20-year vision.

Once finalised, the plan will replace the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 and guide the region's growth through to 2046.

Everyone is encouraged to have their say, including residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders.

You can provide feedback by making a formal submission on the NSW Planning Portal.

After the exhibition period, submissions and feedback will be reviewed, and a consultation report will be published.

The plan will then be updated based on feedback before being finalised and released later in 2026.

The draft Sydney Plan was exhibited in late 2025/early 2026 and is on track to be finalised and released by the end of 2026.

The draft Central Coast and Lower Hunter Plan and draft Regional NSW Plan will be released for public exhibition in 2027, aligning with the 5-year review cycle of region plans.

Existing regional plans remain in effect while the new region plans are developed.