Have your say on West Woolgoolga voluntary planning agreement

A NEW roundabout and road works outside an over 55s housing estate are part of proposed multi-million dollar improvements in West Woolgoolga.

The list of works are detailed in a draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the City of Coffs Harbour and INA Plantations Development Pty Ltd, who would co-fund the new infrastructure.

A VPA between the parties for a roundabout at the Newmans Road-Solitary Islands Way and an upgrade of Newmans Rd outside the manufactured homes lifestyle project was executed in November 2024.

“Construction costs then were based on concept plans while a subsequent detailed design for the roundabout revealed the need for additional works, resulting in increased total costs,” City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said. “The additional works include water and sewer main augmentation, enhanced pavement, fencing, and the relocation of power.

“The improvements to the water and sewer mains will ensure that sufficient infrastructure is available to support future development in the Woolgoolga North West growth area.”

The revised total cost of the works is $6.497m, with the City’s share increasing from $1.932m to $3.966m.

The City will fund its commitment from developer contributions already collected under the Contributions and the City’s Water Supply and WasteWater Development Servicing Plans.

The original VPA is related to a development application for a manufactured homes estate (180 homes), community facilities and associated infrastructure.

This has been approved and construction works are underway.

At its meeting on 23 April, Council resolved to place an amended draft VPA (taking into account the increased cost and scale of the works) on public exhibition for 28 days.

The draft VPA can be viewed on the City’s website.

Submissions are open through to Tuesday 26 May.