Local business owners and property holders in the Nowra CBD are calling for answers
about the future of the city centre, with a Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Thursday 26
March at the Nowra Ex‑Servos.
The meeting is being supported by the Nowra CBD Business Chamber, which represents
businesses and property owners located within the designated Nowra CBD rate area.
The Nowra CBD Business Chamber should not be confused with the Shoalhaven Business Chamber.
The CBD chamber specifically represents businesses and ratepayers whose properties are zoned and rated as part of the Nowra CBD and who pay the CBD rate levy.
Members say the CBD rate category was originally established to support revitalisation and activation of the city centre, helping fund initiatives designed to attract visitors and support local businesses.
These initiatives have previously included community events such as Christmas activations, markets in Jelly Bean Park and other activities aimed at bringing people into the CBD. However, concerns have been raised following the withdrawal of CBD revitalisation funding in 2024.
According to information provided to local businesses, Nowra CBD properties are currently paying nearly three times the rate charged to other Shoalhaven commercial areas. The 2025–26 CBD rate is 0.5794 cents in the dollar, almost three times higher than other commercial rate categories across the region.
Concerns have also been raised about the number of vacant premises and declining foot
traffic in the CBD.
Data referenced by organisers suggests foot traffic in the CBD has fallen by around 30 per cent since 2017, with some months in 2025 showing declines of up to 40 per cent.
Organisers say the purpose of the Town Hall Meeting is to bring business owners, property owners, councillors and the broader community together to discuss the future of the Nowra CBD and how revitalisation funding should be managed moving forward.
“We want to have an open conversation about how CBD rate revenue is being used and how we can work together to bring life back into our town centre,” organisers said
