City of Coffs Council releases quarterly progress report

A LIBRARY makeover, a new bridge at Woolgoolga, and further beautification of Brelsford Park in the Coffs Harbour CBD are among the significant capital works projects completed in the first three months of 2026.

The City of Coffs Harbour has released its Quarterly Progress Report (January-March), tracking the status of capital and operational works and noting that the city’s finances are considered “satisfactory”.

In a statement, Council said its revised consolidated 2025-’26 budget to March is a nett surplus of $31 million, with an operating surplus before capital revenue of $13.1m.

“We continue to be in a solid financial position but need to keep an eye on the future needs of ageing infrastructure – particularly water and wastewater, which will require significant investment,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“That said, the report notes a significant number of projects that have been delivered in the past quarter for the benefit of the community.”

These include a $292,000 refresh of the Woolgoolga Library which included new flooring, furniture, paint, storage and audio-visual equipment.

Also completed in the January-March quarter (Q3) was a new West Woolgoolga pedestrian/cycleway bridge, which came in better than budget at $128,000.

Removal of the rundown old tennis court complex in the north-east corner of Brelsford Park was also ticked off the list of projects in the current financial year’s Operational Plan.

“Of the 276 projects in the plan, 221 have either been completed or are on-track,” City General Manager Murray Wood said in the statement..

“Twenty-two are listed as on hold or are yet to start and 33 are facing disruption.”

Q3 highlights include:

— 77,889 physical visits to the City’s libraries and 204,374 items loaned

— 21 school visits and 14,302 total visits to Yarrila Arts Museum (YAM)

— 6 Initiatives provided for businesses and 12 City Centre marketing activities

— 115 marketing activities for visitor attraction

— 13 percent increase in online bookings at Coffs Coast Holiday Parks

— Coffs Harbour Laboratory achieved a profit margin of 16 percent

— 148 occupational certificates issued by the City

— 38,431 visitors to the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden; and

— 100 percent attendance by Councillors at Council meetings.

Other significant capital works projects delivered during the quarter include the upgrade of lighting on the second field at Ayrshire Park, Boambee ($128k), Woolgoolga Community Hall amenities renewal ($73k), Arthur Street (York St-Ocean Pde) footpath renewal ($81k) and security improvements at the City’s Marcia Street Depot ($121k).

“The City maintains 324 kilometres of walking and cycling paths. 96 percent of this extensive network is rated as in fair or better condition,” City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said.

Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon noted there had been a surge in the number of Onsite Sewage Management system inspections in Q3, with 361 carried out compared to about 240 in each of the preceding quarters.

Business Services Director Steve Bayliss said the City’s four holiday parks continued to trade well despite the national and global economic headwinds.

“Our cabin occupancy across all of our parks was sitting at near 90 percent, and site occupancy was greater than 70 percent,” Mr Bayliss said.