The signing of the contract to build the new Helicopter Aircrew Training System – or HATS, as the acronym-loving Defence Department calls it – was a watershed moment. 

Its construction and development will bring much needed employment to the area. During the construction phase there will be a couple of hundred constructions jobs but more important will be the 80-odd long-term civilian jobs that will follow – engineers and technicians principally.

Add to that the flow of trainee aircrew from the three services and the economic benefits begin to multiply.

The growth of HMAS Albatross is already being reflected on the Nowra skyline, with the Quest Apartments taking shape in Kinghorne Street. Once they are occupied, there will be demands for services and retail in the Nowra CBD, which again should attract more jobs.

The other positive sign of change in Nowra on Friday was the passing of a development application for a completely new and different pop up enterprise, the first of what we hope will be many as part of the Nowra Alive program that aims to revitalise the CBD.

And wait, there’s more. Finally, it seems, the long wait for the new shopping centre at Vincentia appears to be ticking down with Woolworths saying it expects to start work on the long-delayed project before the end of the year, with completion slated for this time next year. 

It’s all welcome momentum and good news with which to start the working week.