Cultural and Civic Space, known as Yarrila Place, tower crane moves in

A 46m tower crane is in place at Gordon Street to take the Cultural and Civic Space, now known as Yarrila place, to the next level.

A towering new addition has transformed Coffs Harbour’s skyline.

The tower crane for construction of the $81m Cultural and Civic Space – now known as Yarrila Place – was moved on to the Gordon Street site over the weekend.

The building has been the subject of many fiery debates, rescission motions, protests and even a dramatic walkout by four Coffs Harbour City councillors.

People show their support for the Cultural and Civic Space at a council meeting in November last year. Picture: Janine Watson

The four Councillors were recently penalised for walking out of the 2019 meeting.

Construction is moving ahead since initial earthworks began last month.

This month fine weather should allow for some other significant milestones to be completed including concrete pours to the basement floors and the installation of the tower crane.

The design of the Cultural and Civic Space has been changed throughout the planning process.

At a height of 46m it will be a noticeable feature in the skyline of Coffs Harbour.

Coffs City Council general manager Steve McGrath said it was pleasing that construction was being achieved in a timely manner in a challenging Covid-19 environment.

Groundworks are under way at the new council building site.

“The tower crane will definitely bring some presence to the city centre and the casting of the ground floor slab will be another significant milestone,” Mr McGrath said.

“This much needed piece of community and cultural infrastructure will deliver benefits for generations to come.”

Yarrila Place will house a new library, art gallery and council offices and is due to be finished by the end of 2022.

Members of the “Together, we’ll fix it” team running for election to Coffs Harbour City Council say they will try to make changes to the building if they are elected.