Letter to the Editor: Let’s do this once and do it right

DEAR News Of The Area,

THE community of Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas have clearly opposed the current Draft Jetty Foreshores Concept Plan because of many concerns and issues that do not meet the current and perceived future needs of our growing population.

Examples of this opposition is demonstrated by significant recent protests from residents and groups such as ‘Foreshore for All’ and Jetty Foreshores – Let’s Own Our Future’, as well as the majority ‘No’ vote of 68.68 percent of the Jetty Foreshore poll held during the 14 September 2024 Local Government elections by the NSW Electoral Commission.

In alignment with many leadership and management of change strategies, “Successful management requires understanding community needs, fostering collaboration, and building a shared vision for the future.”

It is obvious that meaningful and appropriate development of this land requires a shared vision which is not yet apparent.

In order to move forward and shape a shared vision and improve the existing conceptual plan it is obvious that much more thought and collaboration between state and local planners, coastal environmental scientists and engineers and others is required.

Ideally transparent progress reports and reviews seeking constructive community feedback would further refine and tweak the plan to ultimately gain the support of the majority of principal users/local residents.

So to all planners tasked with reformulating the next draft, I urge you to not rush, resist meeting short term financial pressures and listen carefully to your heart with regard to what is right for this land and future generations.

I hope to see in the next revised foreshores development draft, clear evidence that wise local community input has been acted upon and that a deeper understanding of challenges and issues raised is evident.

For instance make the plan more aesthetically pleasing; widen roads and pathways; make sustainable architectural designs of any new buildings with lower heights, wider overhangs; include pedestrian bridges; add more public seating, shade and rain shelters; add more car spaces; add play-safe gardens; add interpretive signs, art, murals, statues with historic and cultural information.

The plan should also clearly address threats from potential storm surges and floods in future climate modelling.

Finally I would also like to see in this future concept plan: an amazing iconic concert/festival/exhibition building principally targeted to our youth at the old Deep Sea Fishing Club site.

It could be an iconic public community space with maximum seating, landscaping stages etc for showcasing culture, art and music to the world.

After all, as the ‘My Coffs Community Strategic Plan 2032’ says on page 35, it is the Council’s role to advocate, collaborate and support sustainable development that enhances the Jetty Foreshores as a landmark destination in Coffs Harbour.

Regards,
Robyn CRISP,
Coffs Harbour.