Coffs Harbour’s 18 storey soup kitchen site revamp for essential workers
An ambitious development application is expected to be lodged by the end of the year which would see a century old church soup kitchen anchoring an 18-storey mixed-use precinct.
For more than a century, Coffs’ beloved ‘Soupie’ kitchen has filled stomachs and seats — now it could anchor the city’s most ambitious church‑led rebuild.
The Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT is preparing redevelopment plans for a mixed‑use precinct including a proposed 18‑storey residential tower, touted to include affordable housing and homes for essential workers such as nurses, teachers and police.
The proposed design for the Gordon St, Coffs Harbour site includes increasing capacity of the soup kitchen and combines worship spaces, new community facilities, retail and commercial areas aimed at activating the street.
Church Council member and ‘Soupie’ volunteer Phil Crofts calls the plan a “once‑in‑a‑generation chance” to serve more people, more effectively.
He said the project is about continuing the legacy of helping the Coffs Harbour community as they have done for more than a hundred years.
“At a time when so many people are struggling to find affordable and secure housing, we see this as a practical way to help,” Mr Crofts said.
The Uniting Church will be looking at getting a DA in to council at the end of the year after community feedback sessions conclude.
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