Coffs council decides fate of The Promenade development at Coffs Creek

One Coffs Harbour councillor described the plan as too ‘aggressive’ – with all three blocks well above height limits. See what they voted to do.

Plans have been revealed for the $ 25.4m redevelopment of The Promenade on Coffs Creek.

Despite being three storeys above height controls in some sections, the $25.4m redevelopment of The Promenade on Coffs Creek has been approved.

Coffs Harbour City councillors were torn on the project when it came to the vote at their meeting on Thursday evening (October 13).

Plans involve the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of three mixed-use buildings on the creek.

The current Promenade site is now more than 20 years old and includes shops and a cafe right on the creek.

The Promenade on Coffs Creek is set for a major upgrade. Picture: Janine Watson.

The site was once home to the Coffs Butter Factory – and to the north was the former Coffs Creek baths.

It will include commercial/retail and community facilities on the ground floor and 39 residential apartments above and basement carparking.

Nearby resident Geyne Feeney spoke at the council meeting in support of the proposal, saying the only thing it would block is his view of a “big concrete building” at Park Beach.

He said it would help to activate the parklands on either side of The Promenade.

Another local resident, self confessed “lover of all things architecture”, and regular user of the Coffs Creek, Adam Doyle, also spoke in favour.

“Coffs Harbour has not seen commercial architecture to this standard. We can now use this as a benchmark – we have set the bar far too low, for too long,” Mr Doyle said.

Open spaces have been proposed on the corner block to allow access to the popular Coffs Creek Walk.

Walknorth Architects’ husband-and-wife team Sacha Zehnder and Jaya Param outlined their vision for the project with open spaces between each of the three structures.

They described the apartments as ‘tree houses’ set within the canopy of the creek-side vegetation.

George Cecato urged his fellow councillors to support the development describing it as a “great, unique and quality building” and a fitting entrance to the Jetty with several multimillion dollar projects either in the pipeline or underway.

Cr Julie Sechi backed his call, saying people buying into the apartment complex will help free up the middle to lower end of the market, making more affordable homes available.

Councillors Tony Judge, Julie Sechi and Rodger Pryce. Picture: Janine Watson

But Cr Scott Wolgamot, who had dialled in from America, said while there were lots of aspects about the development he liked, he couldn’t support it.

“It is a very aggressive challenge to planning controls given all three buildings are well over the height limit. I would love to see a redesign with a lot of the existing elements but with a lot less height,” Mr Wolgamot said.

“I can’t agree we should vary community expectations and planning controls by such a big margin. For me that’s the crunch point.”

Coffs Harbour City councillor Scott Wolgamot.

Cr Sally Townley said the project ticked boxes on many levels, but she could not support it.

“How far away from the planning standards do we walk? – but three storeys above the height control really is a lot to ask for,” Dr Townley said.

Cr Tony Judge said he couldn't remember a decision during which he had been “so torn” and was also concerned about the height.

The Promenade at Coffs Harbour is set for a major upgrade. Picture: Janine Watson.

Mayor Paul Amos spoke against the proposal saying he was looking at it “from the big picture – from a helicopter looking down”.

“It concerns me that a 60 per cent variation is just too much.”

Mr Amos said there needed to be certainty for the community and developers in relation to planning controls and he didn’t want to see the local government area turned into a “DA lottery”.

“It is a very slippery slope. The project is great but it’s that bigger picture I am worried about,” he said.

When it was put to the vote George Cecato, Julie Sechi, Tegan Swan, Tony Judge and Rodger Pryce voted to support it with Paul Amos, Sally Townley and Scott Wolgamot against.