MEMBERS of community group Foreshore For All Inc., say they are alarmed by the long-awaited Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Revitalisation Submissions Report.
Released last Wednesday, 18 February, the report is in response to the 1,724 submissions received by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) during the public exhibition period.
The proposal is to rezone railway land so it can be sold for multi-level residential and tourist accommodation.
Eleven submissions were made by relevant government agencies and organisations, including the City of Coffs Harbour Council, and 1,713 submissions were from members of the public.
In total, 1054 (61%) were in opposition, 613 (36%) were in support and 57 (3%) respondents made comments only.
Foreshore for All Inc. says this response is in line with the council-run poll back in September 2024 when 33,161 (68.68%) community members voted “no” to the State Government plan.
Foreshore For All member Helen Weir said, “We demand that Property and Development NSW (PDNSW)and DPHI respect the explicit wishes of the community.
“This planning proposal must be rejected.”
Jetty Foreshores – Let’s Own Our Future member Bruce Weir said, “This is an enormous document and, while there is a lot to digest, the overwhelming initial response is that it is a deeply flawed document, which does not address the actual concerns raised by the community.
“There is no locked-in funding model for significant infrastructure upgrades, which suggests that if this planning proposal proceeds, the people of Coffs Harbour will be faced with higher rates and charges to help fund the delivery of the upgrades previously promised.”
Mr Weir said this includes, but is not limited to:
– the proposed pedestrian overpass and lifts at the railway station
– works on the main entry to the harbour at the Orlando Street, Harbour Drive and Marina Drive intersection and,
– Camperdown Street and other local roads, which will encounter significantly higher traffic flows.
In response to community concerns, the report shows plans to reduce the maximum height of buildings from 25 metres to 22.5 metres but also states that, to allow flexibility, a site-specific height exemption clause will be included that will allow a 22.5 metres building to support rooftop access.
Parking and traffic congestion were some of the concerns raised in the submissions and Foreshore For All Inc. says projections from PDNSW do appear to reflect reality.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said, “The Jetty Foreshores Revitalisation is about much more than accommodation, which will be confined to the currently disused narrow rail corridor west of Jordan Esplanade.
“The revitalisation is about activating the entire precinct with improved recreational and tourist activities, which are vital to the future of our region post-bypass.
“The Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores should be for the enjoyment of everyone, and the facilities should reflect that.”
Mr Weir added: “We ask PDNSW to pause the process and send a team of senior planners to Coffs Harbour to talk to the community so that we can truly believe our clearly articulated concerns have been heard and understood”.
The Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct planning proposal was prepared by Colliers Urban Planning on behalf of PDNSW.
By Andrew VIVIAN
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