A FUTURE Master Plan for City Hill will be considered by Coffs Harbour City Council, following the adoption of the City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis by Council.

Coffs Harbour City councillors discussed the City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis document at Council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday, 26 November.

Cr George Cecato moved an alternate motion at the meeting for Council to consider a Master Plan for City Hill, which incorporates the findings of the City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis.

“A Master Plan will consider all areas of City Hill, it will seek and involve all stakeholders, it will consider existing uses such as the Bridge Club and the National Cartoon Gallery,” Cr Cecato said.

“It will consider all possible uses and hopefully, after so many years, we can find a solution for City Hill.

“Dear councillors, I encourage you to support the amended motion.”

Cr Paul Amos objected to the motion, due to a recommendation within the document that Council consider the potential for the City Hill site to house Council’s proposed $2.6 million Cultural Collection Facility.

“I can’t support this while we’re looking to put our storage facilities out at the City Hill, it just doesn’t seem like a very practical or popular choice,” Cr Amos said.

Cr Sally Townley shared Cr Amos’ concern that City Hill was not the right location to build the storage facility, and said the Master Plan needed to look at the site as a whole.

The City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis provides an overview of the site development history, consideration of land uses, and future development options for both the northern and southern portions of the City Hill site.

Council at its meeting on 12 December, 2019 resolved to note the final City Hill Scoping Project Site Analysis and place the Site Analysis on public exhibition.

The document was placed on public exhibition from 18 December, 2019 to 3 March, 2020, and four information and consultation sessions were held.

Forty written submissions were received during this time.

Key themes regarding the public submissions included recognition of the importance of existing native vegetation on the site, creating opportunities to embrace the natural environment into future use of the site, for development of the site to be orientated to cultural, arts and community activities, and the site be considered important as a gateway to Coffs Harbour.

The City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis has been updated by Council to reflect and respond to the outcomes of the exhibition and community and cultural planning processes.

The City Hill site is located on the corner of Albany Street and Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour, and is owned by Coffs Harbour City Council.

Two buildings currently exist on the site, being the National Cartoon Gallery and Coffs Harbour Bridge Club.

Council resolved to adopt the City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis, and consider during the preparation of the Operational Plan 2021/22 a Master Plan for City Hill which incorporates the findings of the City Hill Scoping Project Revised Site Analysis.

 

By Emma DARBIN