Coffs Harbour votes again to push state for 3D model of controversial Jetty Foreshore plan

Pressure is mounting on the state government over a 3D model of the proposed Coffs Jetty Precinct Master Plan after a determined council voted for the second time for transparent access.

Members of the community action group Foreshore 4 All celebrate the determination of Coffs Harbour council to get access to a 3D model of the Coffs Jetty Precinct Master Plan.

The City of Coffs Harbour has voted to request a commitment from the state government – for the second time – to provide the community with a 3D visual representation of the Coffs Jetty Precinct Master Plan.

At last week’s council meeting, Councillor Tony Judge raised the matter to pursue a definitive response from Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) to include an existing revised 3D model — “Jetty Foreshores Version 2.0” in the public consultation process.

The renewed request comes after PDNSW responded to a similar council query in December with “the request is noted for consideration”.

Councillor Tony Judge pushed for council to follow up on a request to PDNSW to share its 3D model with the Coffs Harbour community.

Jumping forward to this week, almost two months on, the department has advised NewsLocal the tools for the public exhibition process were “still being finalised”.

However, 3D model or not, the department says The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will place the proposal on public exhibition for community comment as part of the planning assessment process.

“As the proponent, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) will support the department’s public exhibition process with updated information and resources, which is still being finalised,” a spokesman said.

Mr Judge said the quicker the community gets to see it the better so they can understand the physical and visual impacts of the project.

An artist’s impression of the revised Coffs Jetty Precinct Master Plan looking south.

“Not everyone can read a plan, but we can all look at a model and understand it,” Mr Judge said.

“Consultation is all about open and honest engagement.

“There is no reason to keep those models hidden from the people who will be most impacted by the development — our community.”

Community group Foreshore 4 All spokesman Bruce Weir, presented to council on the model’s importance prior to the successful vote by councillors Mr Judge, Mr Amos, Mr Cassell, Ms Sechi and Mr Oxford.

“There are so many people who can’t look at a two-dimensional plan and translate that into a three-dimensional plan in their mind,” Mr Weir said.

Bruce Weir pushed for access to a 3D model at the City of Coffs Harbour council meeting on Thursday February 12.

The Coffs Jetty Precinct Master Plan itself was the subject of a City of Coffs Harbour poll, conducted during the local council elections, where 68.8 per cent voted against multi-story private residential apartments.

Got a news tip? Email: [e-mail]