Held to ransom: Claims iconic Coffs Harbour Jetty a pawn in wider state v council power struggle

One of the state’s most iconic jetties could soon fall into disrepair as the NSW government and Coffs council lock horns over the future of the key regional city. Here’s the latest.

Coffs Harbour Jetty and marina.

One of the state’s most iconic jetties could soon fall into disrepair.

First built in 1892, the Coffs jetty is the last surviving state government-built jetty in NSW from the late nineteenth century. It originally supported shipping between Sydney and Brisbane.

But the City of Coffs Harbour and the state government are at loggerheads over funding for the heritage-listed jetty.

A recent state government refusal to help fund repairs has led City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos to claim the jetty is simply being used as a political pawn.

In a letter outlining the refusal to fund the work, reference was made to the state’s plans for the foreshore, suggesting the council might like to consider supporting the concept.

Jetty jumping is a holiday tradition for many in Coffs. Cody Woodwell and Jayden Coombes from Arrawarra prepare to take the plunge. Picture: Coffs Coast Advocate/Chris Knight

However, the state flatly denied any implication of a threat.

Late last year, the council sought up to $30 million in funding from the NSW and federal governments to urgently fix the jetty.

The relationship between the council and the state has grown increasingly fractious, in part due to a deadlock over the future of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores.

Both camps have put forward competing visions for the future of the prized stretch of waterfront land east of the railway.

Mr Amos has made his opposition to the state’s bid to include residential development in the precinct clear, recently labelling plans as “just a really bad decision”.

It was revealed recently in budget estimates state plans for the foreshore include up to 250 residential dwellings and 200 short stay units.

The estimate was revealed when Greens MLC Sue Higginson and Liberal MLC Scott Farlow questioned Lands and Property Minister Stephen Kamper on the future of the precinct.

City of Coffs Harbour general manager Natalia Cowley.

In a recent meeting, the council’s general manager Natalia Cowley was asked for her view on the letter refusing funding for the timber jetty and referencing the foreshore.

Ms Cowley said: “There is no known history of the blending of one topic with the other>”

“It (the foreshore) has no place in the conversation about the jetty structure grant request.”

A spokesman for Mr Kamper said the jetty repairs were “in no way linked” with competing visions for the foreshore.

He said the state was “moving ahead” with the precinct development and did not wish to get into “a war of words” with the mayor.

“The state government is known to help out with assets (such as the jetty), but at present there is no funding available,” he said.

“Who knows what will happen in the future.”

A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the council was the Crown land manager of the reserve where the jetty is located.

“The jetty structure, separate to the land, was handed permanently to Coffs Harbour City Council,” he said.

“The structure stands on Crown land over which the Council is Crown land manager, but it is not a Crown Land asset.”