Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores: Mayor Paul Amos and NSW government in tussle over future as revised masterplan released

The tussle over the future of a prized parcel of waterfront land shows no signs of easing after the Coffs Harbour mayor hit out at the project’s latest developments.

The NSW Government is moving ahead with plans for the revitalisation of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct.

The tussle over the future of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores shows no signs of easing, with City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos describing the latest plans as “just a really bad decision”.

The prized stretch of waterfront public land east of the railway has long been a cause of friction for the booming Mid North Coast town.

Broadly speaking, the opposing camps are split between those who want to prioritise residential development as well as the site’s tourism appeal, and those who fear overdevelopment and a loss of beloved open space.

Mayor Paul Amos (at right) says the foreshore consultation process has been flawed. Coffs MP Gurmesh Singh is on the left.

The state government has recently pushed forward with their goal for the site, doubling down on their masterplan and seeking to quell overdevelopment fears.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the refined masterplan project is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity for this great regional city”.

“We will not develop any foreshore land here for profit, and all funds generated will be reinvested into the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct to revitalise the land to create a family-friendly precinct with a focus on parks and places that are attractive, safe and lively,” he said.

“Revitalising the foreshore will benefit locals and deliver more jobs, economic and tourism benefits for Coffs Harbour together with much-needed housing.”

While the Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the city had undergone significant change and needed to reimagine its future direction.

“The majority of people in Coffs Harbour want to see this current site transformed into a thriving destination that attracts tourists, supports local jobs and businesses, addresses housing needs and makes us all proud,” he said.

The Jetty Foreshore community building.

The state government’s masterplan has been informed by more than 3600 responses from the community.

The new design for the site is pitched by the government as helping to improve the foreshore’s public access, as part of the precinct is currently inaccessible, as well as expanding tourism, residential and hospitality offerings.

Another key aspect of the pitch is additional housing which could help to address the broader housing crisis facing the region.

Affordable housing in the jetty foreshore precinct became a possibility following the election of a state Labor government who had committed to a statewide audit which would identify surplus public land for housing.

This appeared to be well and truly in motion when, in August last year, Property and Development NSW revealed a proposal to rezone the land.

Coffs Harbour mayor Paul Amos in the Jetty High school musical.

However, Mayor Amos has continued in his opposition to the much of the state government’s proposal, saying he cannot let the prized plot of land “be ruined” by overdevelopment.

Mr Amos described the government’s masterplan as “not matching at all with our vision” and came out swinging against a recent revelation in estimates that 450 dwellings could be built in the precinct.

“They’re ambushing our community … at no stage were we considering that sort of private residential development would be proposed down there,” he said.

“It misses the opportunity to retain the land for future generations to use … (because) it privatises land that surely must be kept for the growth of Coffs Harbour.

“It’s just a really bad decision for generations that will come.”

Coffs Harbour Marina.

The NSW government’s artist impression of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore.

The state government’s masterplan has been informed by more than 3600 responses from the community.

The new design for the site is pitched by the government as helping to improve the foreshore’s public access, as part of the precinct is currently inaccessible, as well as expanding tourism, residential and hospitality offerings.

Earlier this year, a bid by council to purchase the land was rebuffed by the NSW government.

Council had offered the state government $6.7 million for the land, as well as two blacks of land in the Coffs CBD which could have 14-storey high buildings.