Full guide to voting at Coffs Harbour in the 2023 NSW state election

With the state election just days away, here’s everything you need to know about casting a vote in the seat of Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour is a fast-growing and beautiful regional city. The state election will in part help to shape the next few years for the Coffs Coast.

The state seat of Coffs Harbour is a comparatively new one – and it’s been a Nationals stronghold since day dot.

Rapid population growth on the NSW North Coast saw a new electorate created, that of Coffs Harbour, which was first contested in 1981 (previously Coffs fell into the seat of Clarence).

Matt Singleton – the former member for Clarence – won the 1981 vote and served as the first Member for Coffs through to 1990.

Andrew Fraser was the Nationals member for Coffs Harbour for almost 30 years.

He was succeeded by the National Party’s Andrew Fraser, who held sway for a staggering 28 years.

Mr Fraser retired and a new wave was announced when Gurmesh Singh became just the third member for Coffs Harbour, taking the seat for The Nationals in 2019.

As we head to the polls on March 25, Mr Singh is the incumbent and enjoys a margin of more than 10 per cent in what is regarded a safe Nationals seat.

The last state election

Then-newly elected Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and retired MP Andrew celebrate with their family and supporters.

The Nationals’ Gurmesh Singh secured 20,268 first preference votes (42.82 per cent). The next highest was the Country Labor Party’s Tony Judge 8371 primary votes (17.69 per cent).

After distribution of preferences, Mr Singh was elected with 60.30 per cent of the vote compared to independent Sally Townley on 39.70 per cent.

Sally Townley stood at the 2019 election and will do so again as an independent on March 25.

37,105 votes were cast for the seat of Coffs Harbour in the lower house.

For the March 25, 2023 election, seven candidates are contesting the seat of Coffs Harbour. You can read about them here.

Nuts and bolts

The Legislative Assembly District of Coffs Harbour has 55,449 electors and occupies an area of 1174 square kilometres.

The electorate stretches from Yuraygir National Park (NP) in the north, Bongil Bongil NP to the south and runs as far west as the Bobo River.

The seat of Coffs Harbour for the 2023 NSW state election.

The seat takes in the major regional city of Coffs Harbour and significant population centres of Woolgoolga, Boambee East, Toormina, Sawtell, Korora, Sapphire Beach and Corindi Beach.

Where to vote

Democracy sausage, don’t mind if I do. Picture: Mark Stewart

Red Rock Multi-Use Centre, Red Rock Rd
Corindi Public School, Coral St
Mullaway Public School, 15 Whitton Pl
Woolgoolga High School, Centenary Dr
Nana Glen Memorial Hall and Community Centre, 26 Grafton St
Sandy Beach Public School, 19 Saye Cl
Coramba Public School, Short St
Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall, 13 Pine Ave, Ulong
Karangi Public School, Coramba Rd
Kororo Public School, 3 Korora School Rd
Upper Orara Public School, 770 Upper Orara Rd
Tyalla Public School, Joyce St, Coffs Harbour
Narranga Public School, Robin St, Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour Public School, Salamander St
Coffs Harbour High School, Harbour Dr
Boambee Public School, Lindsays Rd
Toormina High School, Armstrong Dr
William Bayldon Public School, Lyons Rd, Sawtell
Sawtell Public School, 32-36 Eleventh Ave
Bonville Memorial Hall, 6 East Bonville Rd.

Pre poll voting at Coffs Harbour. Picture: File

Early voting centres:

Woolgoolga Uniting Church, 5 Trafalgar St – March 18-24 (Mon-Wed 8.30am-5.30pm; Thu 8.30am-8pm; Fri 8.30am-6pm; Sat 9am-6pm).

Coffs Harbour Election Manager’s Office, 123 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour – March 18-24 (Mon-Wed 8.30am-5.30pm; Thu 8.30am-8pm; Fri 8.30am-6pm; Sat 9am-6pm).

Toormina EVC, Lot 5 1 Minorca Pl – March 18-24 (Mon-Wed 8.30am-5.30pm; Thu 8.30am-8pm; Fri 8.30am-6pm; Sat 9am-6pm).

It’s your move

If you’re eligible to vote, it’s compulsory to do so in NSW. If you don’t have a valid reason for failing to vote you can be fined $55.

Key moments for 2023

March 8: Close of nominations.

10am, March 9: Announcement of candidates and ballot draw (the order in which they will appear on your voting paper). See how the draw unfolded.

March 18: Early voting opens.

6pm, March 20: Postal vote applications close.

8am-6pm: Election day.

6pm, April 6: Receipt of postal votes closes.

April 14: Estimated completion of Legislative Assembly (lower house) declaration of results.

April 20: Estimated completion of Legislative Council (upper house – senate) declaration of results.

Big picture

NSW is divided into 93 state electoral districts. Voters in each patch will elect one person to represent their district in the Legislative Assembly. Voters will also elect 21 of the 42 members of the Legislative Council.