Funding assistance for heritage buildings on the Coffs Coast

CITY of Coffs Harbour will extend financial support for the improvement of 12 significant properties across the Local Government Area (LGA) – including a popular country pub and two former churches.

The Coffs Harbour Local Heritage Assistance Fund has been operating since 2003 and is offered annually to owners of heritage-listed properties (including those properties located in the heritage conservation areas of Coramba and Sawtell).

The City receives funding from the NSW Government to run the program which aims to help preserve the heritage significance of eligible properties.

The funding is contingent upon the City providing an equivalent to the State’s contribution, and the property owner matching the combined total of the NSW Government and City contribution.

“Our heritage buildings are valued widely by the community and serve as a reminder of days long gone,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“It’s important we support the preservation of these significant structures which in many instances are landmarks.”

Projects successful in the 2025-’26 round:

● 2 Curacoa Street, Coffs Harbour (a rare and intact example of a Federation bungalow). Replace stairs and pillars at front of property. City contribution $1,500.

● 215A Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour (a high-quality, all-timber former public building). Repaint external walls. City contribution $2,000.

● 20 Korff Street, Coffs Harbour (an early surviving, substantially intact timber residence dating from pre-WWI). Reinstate window and window hood. City contribution $377.

● 23 Moore Street, Coffs Harbour (an early surviving, substantially intact timber building from the inter-World Wars’ period). Polish floorboards and paint walls. City contribution $2,000.

● 15 Dorrigo Street, Coramba (the former St Paul’s Anglican Church is the oldest surviving church in the Coffs Harbour area). Refurbish and reinstall leadlight windows. City contribution $5,000.

● 14 Gale Street, Coramba (this house is located in the heart of the Coramba Conservation Area). Replace side window screens on the house. City contribution $600.

● 17 Gale Street, Coramba (its art deco style is very rare in the Coffs Harbour LGA and the building is substantially unaltered). Upgrade the façade of the Coramba Hotel. City contribution $5,000.

● 21-23 First Avenue, Sawtell (possibly the oldest surviving shop building in First Avenue following the establishment of the town in 1923). Restore and paint external awning and façade. City contribution $3,000.

● 25 First Avenue, Sawtell (the Sawtell Cinema is of the highest local significance as a purpose-built, single-screen cinema and a local Sawtell landmark). Replace side fence. City contribution $1,250.

● 20 Timms Avenue, Ulong (the Ulong Timber Mill is a State Heritage-listed item). Continued replacement of roof of mill area. City contribution $3,040.

● 610 Upper Orara Road, Upper Orara (the Upper Orara Community Hall is a locally heritage-listed item and has been in continuous use for over 100 years). Insulation, gap-filling and fireproofing. City contribution $2,960; and

● 612 Upper Orara Road, Upper Orara (the former All Saints Anglican Church is a locally heritage-listed item). Concrete side and rear pathway. City contribution $1,510.

Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said the City’s 2025/26 program includes a $12,500 contribution from the NSW Government.

“We had 12 applications to the program and all were of a high quality. The City’s contribution will assist property owners with the cost of conservation works,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.