Lessons from the pandemic as Coffs residents value local open spaces

Coffs Harbour has revealed an ambitious plan to become a ‘4-minute city’ - positioning residents within a short walk of a recreational area. Here’s how it will work.

Coffs Harbour is blessed with a motza of natural recreation spaces such as Sawtell rock pool.

Coffs Harbour has revealed an ambitious plan to become a ‘four minute city’ - positioning residents within a hop, skip and jump of a recreational area.

The idea is that people should be within a four to five-minute walk to a place to de-stress and enjoy.

The concept is driven by the state government, and the good news is that Coffs Harbour broadly already meets the criteria.

Coffs Harbour Sustainable Communities director Chris Chapman said the Covid lockdowns showed the value residents placed on local recreational spaces.

Creeks, beaches, playing fields and the like were highly prized and used when people were largely restricted to their own postcode.

The Coffs Harbour skate facility in the heart of town at Brelsford Park has proved a winner with the young. Picture: Rob Wright / Coffs Coast Advocate

“The way in which public open spaces are used by people is definitely changing,” Mr Chapman said.

“People are increasingly time-poor and looking for quicker, more intense forms of outdoor physical activity to help with busy lifestyles.”

City of Coffs Harbour has developed a draft Public Realm Strategy with the goal of creating a network of connected open space.

Chris Chapman: “During the pandemic people started to really value what was around them.” Picture: Trevor Veale / Coffs Coast Advocate

The strategy is on public exhibition until May 5 and fits under the NSW Government’s Greener Places Framework.

“The Greener Places Framework advocates that residents should arrive, pass or have access to a type of public open space within a four to five-minute walk from their home,” Mr Chapman said.

Coffs Creek is a favourite with young families as it can be shallow and the water crystal clear. Picture: Chris Knight.

The upside is that Coffs - which is dissected by fresh and salt waterways - largely already meets that standard.

“West Coffs is a classic example where people can reach the Jetty Foreshores pretty quickly by the paths and cycleways,” Mr Chapman said.

“During the pandemic people started to really value what was around them.”

Perfect one minute, paradise the next. Coffs Harbour has an abundance of natural and built open spaces.

Mr Chapman said the long term goal for the city is to improve residents’ access to those open spaces.

“There is a sufficient supply of public open space for our community to meet this goal, provided that connections and links between our open spaces are protected and improved over time,” he said.

“This recognises what our residents have told us - that they value high quality public open spaces and that our footpaths and bike paths need better connections to improve access to nature and help improve our overall health and wellbeing.”

The draft strategy also supports the development and implementation of an active transport plan for the local government area so that people can get outside by choosing to walk, cycle, skate or scoot to their destination.