LETTER: Why ask what we want then not listen

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WAS horrified to see on NBN News (1/10/2026) that there are going to be numerous buildings on the Jetty Foreshores despite the fact that more than 70 per cent of local citizens voted to have open space – gardens etc – for all.

I believe these factors should have been taken into account:

Aboriginal Elders have been ignored

The Jetty Foreshores is the centre of Gumbaynggirr Country, with special meaning and strong historical,

traditional and cultural connection for Aboriginal Gumbaynggirr people.

The area alone, surrounding and within the Foreshores, has a web of Aboriginal Sacred Sites.

The NSW Government has ignored repeated calls by the Garlambirla Guyuu-Girrwaa, Coffs Harbour Local

Aboriginal Elders Corporation, to preserve open space and public land in the area.

Tourism

Coffs is recognised as an eco and experience tourism hot spot – the first and only certified ECO Tourism

destination in NSW – and our visitor numbers jumped 20 per cent in 2023/24.

Why threaten our current and future outdoor tourism credentials by rezoning to limit open space in what

is already our most popular recreation area?

This is an opportunity to enhance our parklands and improve our facilities for everybody to enjoy.

Housing

This is not a housing solution for our community.

The NSW Government says they don’t know how much, if any, affordable and social housing will be

included in the development.

At current valuations, any new foreshore apartments will be sold to the highest bidders for millions.

According to the Local Growth Management Strategy 2020, prepared by Coffs Council and endorsed by the

NSW Government, our city doesn’t have a predicted housing shortage and there are significant areas in the

city centre and west of the railway line at the Jetty and Park Beach, which are best-placed for potential new

apartment developments.

Climate

Coffs Harbour City Council identified the foreshores as an area at extreme risk of erosion and flooding as

the sea level rises. The Government has provided no detail about how this will impact the development or

how it will be protected.

Why isn’t the NSW Government following its own advice and protecting our coastal land that is vulnerable

to storms and flooding?

When a weather event happens, will ratepayers be left to pay?

Why does our Council ask the residents what is needed for our region, then ignore the answers to their questions and do what they want to do?

Regards,

Karen Baff,

Coffs Harbour.