News and Media
12 October 2009
Defence families living the coastal lifestyle
Situated on the beautiful Shoalhaven River, Nowra is the largest coastal town on the NSW south coast. An area of such natural beauty and unspoilt coastlines, it is a popular place to live and is home to approximately 25,000 people. During the summer months this figure rises substantially as it becomes a great holiday destination for Sydney and Canberra residents.
More than 700 Defence families have made their home in Nowra, around half of whom own their own home. With 10 separate national and marine parks within the region, and of course the coast just a stone's throw away, there is a wide range of nature-based activities for families to enjoy.
HMAS Albatross and the Parachute Training School are located 10kms south west of Nowra, while HMAS Creswell is at Jervis Bay, 35kms south of Nowra. There is also a Royal Australian Navy hydrographic (maritime charting) office situated in Wollongong, 80km to the north.
The Nowra region enjoys a reasonably temperate climate, with four distinctive seasons. In summer, temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C, and it is during this time that the area receives the bulk of its yearly rainfall. Dry and windy conditions are the norm in winter, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of 5°C.
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) manages almost 400 properties throughout the Nowra region. The average age of the properties is nine years, and many of them have been purpose-built for the modern Defence family and to DHA specifications.
There is a large amount of space available in Nowra, and as a result most of the properties are free-standing, brick veneer homes with generous-sized front and back yards. The homes are mostly three and four-bedroom properties and include ensuites, separate lounge and family rooms, covered outdoor entertaining areas and garages.
 |
 |
Approximately 70% of DHA’s homes are located within a 10km radius of the centre of Nowra. North of the Shoalhaven River are the suburbs of North Nowra and Bomaderry, both with local schooling and shopping centres. South of the river is Worrigee and Nowra's Central Business District (CBD). A further 25% of DHA houses are located south of Nowra, around the Jervis Bay, Sanctuary Point and St Georges Basin area.
There is also some select housing located on-base at HMAS Creswell. Twelve of the homes on-base at HMAS Cresswell are heritage homes and are typical Federation bungalow houses. All twelve houses have been upgraded as part of a recent heritage upgrade program.
 |
 |
All DHA homes in the region have heating. The majority of houses have gas heating; a mixture of either town or bottled gas. Due to Nowra’s temperate climate, electric fans are a suitable means of cooling. In accordance with Defence policy, all new homes have ceiling fans as standard. However, if you have your own portable electric fans, it is recommended that you bring them with you; this will give you cooling flexibility in summer.
The Shoalhaven region does not have fixed water restrictions in place. However, this can change, particularly during the warmer months when the population increases due to the influx of tourists. Up-to-date information about water restrictions can be sourced from the Shoalhaven City Council.
The Nowra Housing Management Centre (HMC) is located in the Nowra CBD on the second Floor of Bridgeton House, at 55-57 Berry Street. The HMC should be your first point of contact for all relocation and housing services, including housing allocations, rent assistance, removals and house maintenance.