THE NSW Government has released two reports detailing outcomes from community consultation on the draft masterplan for Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Foreshores.

The survey reports outline shops and cafes as the most supported uses to create an active foreshore with 73 percent of those responding to the survey in favour, followed by the Jetty Hub, an activity area adjacent to the Coffs Harbour train station which received 68 percent support.

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Talking to the media on Thursday 8 September, the morning of the survey results going live on the website, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh shared key points of the survey results.

Acknowledging the divided opinions of the community about how much development was appropriate on the foreshore, he said overall more people were in support than opposed.

“In a few years time Coffs Harbour will be a bypass city and it’s important for our city to move forward and that we have revitalised the areas not only for residents but to ensure our tourism industry has a great waterfront to take advantage of the growing tourism sector here on the Mid North Coast,” said Mr Singh.

“To that end, three years ago a process was started with the State Government to rejuvenate and revitalise the Jetty Foreshores precinct.”

As part of that project a survey was completed in May and June (2022), the results of which were made public at https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/our-business/precinct-development/coffs-jetty-revitalisationand.

The survey received 3680 responses.

There are around 80,000 residents in Coffs Harbour.

“Additionally an extensive community consultation was done through pop-ups in the community, 13,000 postcards were sent to residents of Coffs Harbour, and the website had 16,000 unique views, so a huge amount of engagement was made during that time,” said Mr Singh.

“Key highlights of that data are that in general more people were supportive of each of the development proposals than opposing.

“In the marine area nearly all the proposals were overwhelmingly supported.

“70 percent of people were supportive of development and proposals for the Deep Sea Fishing Club area and about seventy percent of people were supportive of the Jetty Hub.

“There was very strong support for increased parking, open spaces and landscaped areas.

“The report is very detailed and goes through each of the survey questions, one by one, and gives the response to those questions from strongly opposed to strongly agree and everywhere in between.

“I would encourage residents to go to the website and read the survey.”

Mayor Paul Amos told News Of The Area, “The results of the survey are what I expected but very disappointing.

“I have been the biggest opponent of the process so far; I think the process was flawed right from the start.

“After the first round of consultation we had the results published in a paper, but what was presented to the public (by the State Government) bore no resemblance to the results.

“None whatsoever.

“So then we go to the next step, where we’ve got a proposal that was not endorsed in the first place put back to the public in the form of the latest survey, which doesn’t seem to include all the details and feedback given by the community at the pop-ups with the ambassadors.

“Another flaw is that people can fill out the survey response more than once; and there are groups who’ve taken out paid-for advertising to encourage like-minded people to participate.

“I indicated very early in the piece that the results of the survey would not be an accurate reflection of what the people of Coffs Harbour want.

“The process as it stands is ultimately about the four hectares of land, Jetty Foreshores, rezoned for commercial return.

“I think that land can be used in a better way for the greater good of the people and the long-term requirements of our community,” closed Mr Amos.

The NSW Government engaged two third party specialists to conduct that survey; Ethos Urban and Murawin, representing the Traditional Owners of the land.

Speaking on RUOK? Day, Mr Singh encouraged people to have their debates about this issue respectfully and to respect the views and opinions of everybody else who have taken part in this survey.

Please let us know what you think by emailing media@newsofthearea.com.au.

By Andrea FERRARI