City of Coffs Council continues to back Foreshores revitalisation proposal

IT WAS a tense City of Coffs Harbour’s Council meeting on 19 March as two motions about the Jetty Foreshores revitalisation proposal were raised and defeated.

Councillor Jonathan Cassell proposed a motion asking Council to note community responses to the June 2025 public exhibition; a Government Information Public Access (GIPA) application; and parliamentary intervention to access the Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) Response to Submissions Report.

A significant point in his motion was that the City, “Writes to the Minister for Lands and Property to request a Council briefing about the Response to Submissions.”

The motion was defeated five votes to three.

A second motion, proposed by Cr Judge, asked Council to note the correlation between the submissions to the proposal exhibition and the Council poll conducted in 2024, and that despite the NSW Government’s commitment to public housing, none will be provided as part of the proposal.

The key point of the motion was that Council withdraw its support for the proposal.

The motion was again defeated five votes to three.

“The level of community interest was evident in the very large group of people who attended the meeting,” Cr Judge said.

“The great majority of those people were clearly opposed to the Jetty Foreshores project and wanted to hear the views of the Mayor and councillors.

“They were denied that opportunity.

“The people who had come to hear the project debated by their elected representatives left angry and disappointed.”

Former Mayor and current councillor Paul Amos wished to speak to both motions but was prevented.

He moved a “motion of dissent against the ruling of the Chair”, which was lost five votes to three.

“I’m very disappointed with the discussion on the Jetty Foreshores motions,” Cr Amos said.

“A block of five councillors voted against me being able to speak on either matter.

“I’m very saddened by the way some councillors conducted themselves on the night with regards to fair and open discussion.”

Mayor Nikki Williams said, “There has been a lot said publicly, but not all of it reflects the full picture.

“I understand there are strong views by some, however much of the commentary is not grounded in the reality of where this proposal currently sits or the role Council plays.

“The State Government has made it clear they intend to progress this proposal, and if it goes ahead, then we need to work constructively to secure the best possible outcome.

“Our staff are working closely with the state on a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) to ensure key community benefits are delivered including a water park, new playgrounds, improved public spaces and better access to the Jetty Foreshore.”

She said walking away or revoking support would not stop the proposal.

“It would simply remove our ability to influence it,” Cr Williams said.

“The VPA will come back to Council and be placed on public exhibition, which is the appropriate, transparent time for community input.

“My focus is staying collaborative and ensuring it delivers real benefits for our community.”

Cr Judge said residents should listen carefully to the State Government’s own admissions about the project.

“The Response To Submissions report also noted that the State Government would not be funding the proposed boardwalk, the pedestrian overpass over the railway line or the traffic lights on Harbour Drive and Orlando streets that will be crucial to the project,” he said.

“Ratepayers will need to meet the cost of those items.

“I asked that Council note the facts and withdraw our support for the project, in line with the wishes of the majority of the community we serve.”

Cr Cassell said with Coffs Harbour’s population expected to grow to 106,000 people by 2041, “future traffic for the Jetty Foreshore seems likely to be a nightmare”.

“If the Mayor and four other Councillors had agreed to a briefing, closer scrutiny of this and several other matters could have been raised,” he said.

“This is very troubling and raises a range of questions on the lack of transparency and accountability for our community.”

Councillors Judge and Cassell have assured the community that the fight for the future of the Jetty Foreshores is far from over.

Cr Judge said, “We will continue to bring your concerns to Council and ensure that you are represented.

“There is a long way to go and there is still ample opportunity to stop this unpopular project.

“The community deserves a voice in Council decisions.

“It’s just basic respect.”

By Andrew VIVIAN