Land deal to pave way for green gateway to Coffs Harbour foreshores

Coffs Harbour will retain its view of the showstopper jetty foreshores after the way was cleared for council to buy a small parcel of land from the state government. How it works and what it means.

Sawtell’s leafy main drag has proven such a winner that other areas are planning to replicate the vibe.

A few years back the bleak concrete canyon that was Bowra St in Nambucca Heads had a makeover with mass plantings of tuckeroo trees in a bid to soften the landscape.

Now Coffs Harbour City Council is also on the move as it sets a vision to develop an inviting green corridor to its jewel tourist location that is the Jetty Foreshores.

The first piece in the puzzle is across the line, as council will stump up to buy the ‘Whale Tail’ land near the entrance to the foreshores.

Funding for the purchase is a case of what goes around, comes around - the NSW Government has awarded grant money to council which it will use to buy the land from the state.

Coffs Harbour mayor Paul Amos: “This piece of land, although quite small, has always had enormous potential.”

Council received $3 million through the government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program - and $2.5m of that will enable it to acquire the ‘Whale Tail’ land (so known because of the art installation).

The area will be guided by the broader Coffs Harbour Jetty Strip Streetscape Plan, and developed as funding becomes available.

End goal will see the area become an attractive open space gateway, incorporating off-street parking, between the foreshores and the Jetty Strip shopping/dining village.

In addition to providing a green space and more parking, the vision will maintain the view of the foreshores from the eastern end of Harbour Drive.

“This piece of land, although quite small, has always had enormous potential in terms of enhancing the jetty foreshores and its’ approaches,” Coffs Harbour mayor Paul ‘Moose’ Amos said.

The Jetty Strip is one of Coffs Harbour’s best-known dining and meeting places.

Mr Amos had identified development of the foreshores as a key project in his successful run to the 2021 local government elections.

“I’m delighted that, thanks to NSW Government funding, we’ve been able to secure it (the Whale Tail land) for community use,” Mr Amos said.

“The Jetty Strip is one of Coffs Harbour’s best-known dining and meeting places, as well as being a gateway to the foreshores.

“We developed the Jetty Strip Streetscape Plan with the goal in mind of creating a vibrant, shady and relaxing streetscape - that echoes the leafy, ever-popular First Avenue in Sawtell - and as a fitting entry to the foreshores.

“This funding and land acquisition is a very important first step.”