DEAR News Of The Area,
CONGRATULATIONS to the City of Coffs Harbour for the recent awarding of the Sulman Medal for Public Architecture by the Australian Institute of Architects to Yarrila Place and architects BVN.
This is the highest honour for public architecture in NSW and the building has also been shortlisted in the 2025 World Architecture Festival Awards, to be announced in November.
This recognition of our cultural and civic building is welcome but leads me to ask our Mayor: why does the community still not have access to the River Oak room (aka the Council Chamber) at Yarrila Place?
Locals will recall that during the design process, we were assured that this room, which seats around 200 people and has a commercial kitchen and bar, would be available for gatherings, events, musical recitals, talks and so on.
Yet, the community organisations that I’m involved with have been quoted a totally unaffordable fee to use this room.
The only explanation I’ve heard is that it’s time-consuming to move the furniture and technology used in Council meetings.
Now that Council meetings take place only once a month, can the Mayor please explain why the community can’t affordably access this beautiful room, so Yarrila Place is used to its fullest potential?
Regards,
Jo BESLEY,
Karangi.
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