Shoalhaven – A great place to live, work & play

1. Shoalhaven – A great place to live, work & play

2. Profile of Shoalhaven City • The Shoalhaven local government area covers 4,660 square kilometres stretching from Broughton – just north of the popular rural township of Berry, southwards to North Durras - just north of Bateman’s Bay • The region comprises 49 towns and villages, with approximately 1,000 kilometres of coastline (or 109 beaches) when all bays and inlets are considered • Major centres within the Shoalhaven are: Nowra/Bomaderry; Culburra; Huskisson; St Georges Basin; Sussex Inlet; and Milton/Ulladulla • The Shoalhaven has a residential population of approximately 95,000, peaking to around 300,000+ during the holiday period • Population growth remains steady at 2.2%, or 1,803 per annum

3. Environment • The Shoalhaven is still one of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of Australia’s coastline, and it is this spectacular natural environment and its role in quality of life, that continues to be a major attraction. Topography of the area ranges from mountainous ranges, to rich farmland, to coastal plains. • The region is situated on a long coastal strip intersected by a major river system and several bays and estuaries, the largest being Jervis Bay. • The Shoalhaven is home to some 300,000 hectares or 741,000 acres of National Park, incorporating scenic features such as: Shoalhaven River Booderee, Budawang, Morton, & Jervis Bay National Parks Pigeon House Mountain Ettrema & Budawang Wilderness areas Hyams Beach Seven Mile Beach Tianjara Falls Comerong Island Rural townships of Berry, Kangaroo Valley & Milton

4. Environment • Climatic conditions within the Shoalhaven can be classified as coastal/temperate, similar to Sydney. • Average temperatures are: summer 16.1°C (min) - 25.8°C (max) winter - 6.2°C (min) - 15.8°C (max) • Average Annual Rainfall is 1,143.1mm, falling over an average total of 130.4 days

5. Key regional centre • The Shoalhaven is a key regional centre situated on the South Coast of NSW, just two hours easy drive from Sydney on freeways/highways that continue to be improved • To support its population of around 97,000, the business, commercial, education and health services are comparable with those offered in metropolitan areas. Recreation and lifestyle are both key features of this natural growth area • The Shoalhaven is strategically located, attracting a growing population from Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra, of both younger families and retirees • Typical travel distances and times (by car) from the business centre of Nowra are: Wollongong 80 km 1 hour Sydney 158 km 2.25 hours Canberra 224 km 2.5 hours Melbourne 810 km 10 hours Batemans Bay 120 km 2 hours

6. Key regional centre Retail services • The Shoalhaven has a wide range of retail and business service operations. Most of the national retailers have a presence in the area, offering products at metropolitan prices. The local retail industry is the Shoalhaven’s largest employment sector, incorporating many part-time and casual employment opportunities. • The region is continuing to attract considerable investment from retail operators towards upgrading of existing facilities, or construction of new centres. An array of department, variety and supermarket chains are represented in the area including: K-Mart; Target; Woolworths; Coles; Aldi; Harvey Norman; Retravision; Forty Winks; Captain Snooze; Bunnings; Mitre 10; Rivers Clothing; Sussan; Rockmans; Just Jeans; Jeans West; Dymocks; Angus & Robertson; Allens; Spotlight; Great Outdoors; Barbeques Galore; Fletchers Fotographics; Camera House and so on.

7. Business & employment • Over 10,000 business currently exist in the Shoalhaven • Major employment sectors and the value of their wages and salaries to the local economy, include: Manufacturing $186m Government administration & defence $160m Retail $125m Building & construction $125m Community services $119m Education $113m Tourism $98m Other $290m Total $1,216m

8. Business & employment • Major employers within the Shoalhaven include: • Department of Education 1,975 employees • Department of Health 2,862 employees • Department of Defence 1,200 employees • Shoalhaven City Council 900 employees • Serco Sodexho 450 employees • Woolworths supermarkets 360 employees • Australian Paper 300 employees • NASPO 300 employees • Ramsey Group 300 employees • The Manildra Group 220 employees • Tyco Flow Controls 150 employees • Hanlon Windows 100 employees

9. Business & employment Some of the products manufactured or processed in the Shoalhaven include: Agricultural machinery Automotive hosing Building frames Chemicals Fibreglass yachts Flow control systems Starch/gluten & ethanol Steel fabricated goods Sporting goods Surfwear Timber

10. Key regional centre • Retail services • The Shoalhaven has a wide range of retail and business service operations. Most of the national retailers have a presence in the area, offering products at metropolitan prices. The local retail industry is the Shoalhaven’s largest employment sector, incorporating many part-time and casual employment opportunities. • The region is continuing to attract considerable investment from retail operators towards upgrading of existing facilities, or construction of new centres. An array of department, variety, and supermarket chains are represented in the area including: • K-Mart; Target Country: Woolworths; Coles; Aldi; Harvey Norman; Retravision; Forty Winks; Captain Snooze; Bunnings; Mitre10; Rivers Clothing; Sussan; Rockmans; Just Jeans; Jeans West; Dymocks; Angus & Robertson; Allens; Spotlight; Great Outdoors; Barbeques Galore; Fletchers Fotographics; Camera House, Office Works, and so on. • In addition to those retailers who already have a presence, a number of national retailers are currently investigating opportunities for new outlets within the Shoalhaven.

11. Key regional centre Alternatively, the Shoalhaven also offers a diverse array of boutique stores or speciality shops in many of the region’s villages, including the popular destinations of Berry, Kangaroo Valley and Milton.

12. Key regional centre Entertainment • The Shoalhaven area is a delight for food and wine lovers, with a variety of restaurants located throughout the region offering casual alfresco, a la carte, or buffet dining. Menus include seafood, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese or Australian cuisine. You will find some of our award winning restaurants in harbourside locations, on foreshores of the Shoalhaven River, at our world renowned vineyards, or in historic buildings. • The Shoalhaven is host to a variety of cultural entertainment including: Annual festivals (food & wine; music; Blessing of the Fleet etc) Monthly produce & craft markets (in various localities) Museums, art galleries & libraries (including the Arthur Boyd Gallery – Bundanon) Winery tours Or you can simply enjoy fish & chips on one of our beautiful beaches

13. Coolangatta Estate Winery

14. Key regional centre Entertainment • Movie theatres are located throughout the Shoalhaven in Milton; Ulladulla; Sussex Inlet; Huskisson and Nowra • Most villages within the Shoalhaven host a registered club, including RSLs or various sporting and country clubs. Lions and Rotary also operate within the area. • Swimming pools are located at Ulladulla, Huskisson, Vincentia, Nowra and Bomaderry. The Shoalhaven also has sea pools located in a couple of its larger coastal villages.

15. Community Skate Parks Shoalhaven City Council’s Bay & Basin Leisure Centre

16. Key regional centre Attractions • Shoalhaven’s attractions are becoming well known to the wider Australian and international markets as the area caters perfectly for people wishing to fish, dive, sail and cruise the many coastal areas such as Jervis Bay, Merry Beach and Pretty Beach. • The more adventurous can enjoy horse riding; paintball; rock climbing; canoeing or simply relax with a round of golf; or a game of basketball or tennis with friends. • A number of riverside retreats are located along the Shoalhaven River where visitors can stay in bush camps or cottages to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the natural environment. Many guest houses and B&Bs provide accommodation in a wide range of locations from cattle properties, to garden settings, to beachfront villas. There is also a variety of hotels, motels and caravan parks within the area.

17. Key regional centre Education • Child care: a range of community based and privately operated child care facilities, and early childhood centres operate throughout the Shoalhaven. At present there are 42 day care facilities within the Shoalhaven, with a number catering for vacation care. Shoalhaven City Council also coordinates a family day care service. • Primary schools: there are 23 primary schools scattered throughout the Shoalhaven, located at Berry; Bomaderry; Culburra; Callala; Cambewarra; Falls Creek; Greenwell Point; Huskisson; East Nowra; Nowra; North Nowra (2); Jervis Bay; St Georges Basin; Sanctuary Point; Shoalhaven Heads; Sussex Inlet; Terara; Tomerong; Milton; Ulladulla & Vincentia. • Secondary schools: there are 5 government schools - Bomaderry; Nowra; Shoalhaven; Ulladulla & Vincentia. • Non-Government: there are 6 non-government schools St Mary’s Milton (primary & secondary); Shoalhaven Anglican Milton (primary & secondary); Christian Community Nowra (primary & secondary); St John the Evangelist Nowra (secondary); St Michael’s Nowra (primary); Nowra Anglican Bomaderry (primary & secondary).

18. Key regional centre • Tertiary: The Illawarra Institute of Technology has facilities at both Nowra and Milton; and a combined campus of TAFE and the University of Wollongong is now operating at Mundamia (West Nowra). Shoalhaven campus – University of Wollongong

19. Key regional centre Health services • Three hospitals are located within the Shoalhaven at Nowra (2) and Milton (1) • Seven nursing homes exist, with a further three more being proposed • Ambulance stations are located in Kangaroo Valley; Nowra/Bomaderry; Huskisson; Culburra; and Milton/Ulladulla • There are 105 general practitioners within the Shoalhaven, along with a variety of medical specialists and surgeons • Within the region are 21 dentists and a variety of allied or alternative medical services such as sports medicine; physiotherapy; naturopathy; homoeopathy; iridology etc • Respite care is available within the Shoalhaven through Camp Quality Illawarra, a local Aunties & Uncles program; and Interchange Shoalhaven • Noah’s Ark Centre caters for children with special needs

20. Key regional centre Housing • Shoalhaven boasts a wide range of residential options, from suburban lifestyle, to rural residential, to living by the sea • Many housing options exist including rural acreage, new project homes, older family homes, through to seaside villas or townhouses • House rentals and land purchases are comparatively cheaper than metropolitan areas. Vacant lots vary consistently throughout the City, ranging from a minimum of $160,000 upwards depending upon size and location • Many real estate agencies operate throughout the Shoalhaven in most villages • House prices vary greatly depending upon location, however as a general indication three bedroom brick veneer family homes range from $250,000-$400,000

21. Key regional centre Church services A range of services and activities (including interdenominational and youth groups) are provided to the local Shoalhaven community, by: Anglican Church Latter Day Saints Assembly of God Lutheran Baha’i faith Salvation Army Baptist Church New Covenant Buddhism Presbyterian Catholic Church Seventh-day Adventist Christian Outreach Sacred Heart Church of God St Vincent de Paul Society Church of Christ UAM Ministries Gospel Uniting Church Jehovah’s Witness

22. Key regional centre Business support services For those considering the relocation of an existing small business, or the establishment of a new enterprise, the Shoalhaven has a number of support services for small business: Illawarra Business Advisory Service Staff from the business advisory service have extensive experience in establishing small to medium enterprises, combined with comprehensive knowledge of the Shoalhaven business environment. They can assist with locating further information; undertaking market analysis; locating local contacts or services; and at the same time provide a valuable mentoring service - free of charge. Small Business Answers Program Funded by the Commonwealth Government, the Shoalhaven’s Small Business Answers Officer concentrates on accessing advice and further information on your behalf; hosting various business workshops/seminars to increase the skills of small business; and establishing business networks to assist small business operators to meet, share their knowledge, and therefore win further work.

23. Key regional centre Transportation Rail: The Illawarra line terminates at Bomaderry from Sydney via Wollongong Road: The Princes Highway runs north-south through the Shoalhaven and is currently being upgraded. Links with the west run via Kangaroo Valley, Wollongong or Batemans Bay. An alternate route linking Nowra to Canberra is to be upgraded, bringing the national capital to within 2 hours travel time of the Coast Air: HMAS Albatross, a military airfield, is open to civil air traffic, however no regular commuter services operate from the airport Coach: Daily interstate services operate through Nowra to Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. There are currently eight private bus and coach operators within the City

24. Shoalhaven - A great place to live, work & play For further information please visit: www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au www. shoalhavenseachange.com.au www.quickbreaks.com.au