North Wall’s $1m overhaul revives concerns over shade
The beginning of works this week has revived concern over shading at the foreshores, with a number of trees being lopped.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The beginning of works on the $1m overhaul of the North Wall carpark this week has sparked a divisive response from residents.
Construction on the Coffs Harbour City Council project began on Monday and an eagle-eyed local shared his concerns that a number of mature trees had been lopped.
Jonathan Cassell, the Coffs Harbour Greens Convenor who is rumoured to be running for council in the September elections, shared images of the stumps on social media.
Mr Cassell said he could not see how the removal of the mature trees and their shade would “improve amenity.”
The issue is reminiscent of the controversy over the lack of shade following Council’s completed stages of the refurbishment of the jetty foreshores area, unveiled over three years ago. A number of shelters were installed in the area to provide shade in the interim as the newly planted trees grew.
The North Wall upgrade marks Stage 5 of the Council’s jetty foreshores project, while Stages 2-4 involved the construction of an ‘open plaza’ area with wide shallow steps onto the northern end of Jetty Beach; the market and events space; and boardwalk around the dunes and vegetation, linking all the elements to the historic Jetty.
A Council spokesperson has since confirmed that while some mature trees will be removed in the North Wall parking area, there will be compensatory replanting to replace them.
A total of eight mature trees will be removed to allow for the upgrade and increase the car park footprint, and they will be replaced with locally sourced native species appropriate to the site conditions.
The trees within the area will be clear trunk canopy species for shade, which are tolerant of frontline sea spray, such as Norfolk Island Pines. There are a number of Norfolk Island Pines already situated at the site.
The additional tree planting will be strategically placed to provide shade to seating areas as the construction of shade structures is limited due to a sewer rising main.
The North Wall car park at the jetty foreshores will be closed for several months as works continue on the major $1.33m transformation, which will see “valuable” foreshore land reclaimed for recreational use.
Carparking spaces will be more than tripled, and a beach hub area featuring a new vendor site, a shower and dog wash area, picnic facilities, seating with clear ocean views and even underground power for events will be made available at the site.
The carparking will be relocated slightly west of the foreshore to reclaim “valuable” foreshore land for recreational use, which will feature the beach hub and will see spaces increased from 20 to 63.
Works are estimated to be finished in three months time.
The North Wall project, which is being undertaken by Council, is separate from the State Government’s redevelopment project which focuses on crown land along Jordan Esplanade.
The project is being jointly-funded by Council and by the Federal Government through a $600,000 community infrastructure grant.
More Coverage
Indigenous elders reject Jetty Foreshores project on election eve
It’s a hard no to the state’s Coffs Jetty Foreshores plan from an elder, who’s spoken out on behalf of an Indigenous group hours from council elections. But a NSW government body has responded.
Epic call-out for koala enthusiasts
Fancy yourself a citizen scientist and can’t get enough of cuddly koalas? Grab the binoculars and torch because the parks and wildlife service need volunteers for this Mid-North Coast mission.