COFFS Harbour City Council has released its 2019/20 Annual Report revealing its significant achievements over the past year, capital works projects, elected members’ expenses, major contracts awarded, legal proceedings, donations and contributions, public works projects, and Council’s financial statements.

The 2019/20 Coffs Harbour City Council Annual Report identifies both significant achievements and challenges recorded during the financial year.

Significant achievements over the past year include the official opening of the $18m redevelopment of C.ex Coffs International Stadium, completion of works and reopening of the $1.2m West Coffs Reserve District Park and $2m City Square revitalisation, progression of the planning and design of the new Cultural and Civic Space, the two successful Elton John concerts in February, the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex moving closer to reality, and Council winning the globally-acclaimed International Festivals and Events Association ‘World Festival and Event City Award’ for the fifth year in a row.

Other notable achievements include Council being named ‘Local Council of the Year’ at the NSW Champion of Sports Awards, significant investment in upgrading all four Coffs Coast Holiday Parks, commencement on construction of the Coffs Harbour Enterprise Park, the Build the Best Bypass Campaign, Council’s adoption of the Positive Ageing Strategy 2020-2024, Library Museum Gallery Strategy 2020-2023, and Lifeguard Services Strategic Plan 2019-2024, completion of water reservoir refurbishment projects at Toormina, Sapphire Beach and Emerald Beach, and extensive water, sewer and transport asset works at Moonee Beach, Sandy Beach, and Woolgoolga.

Coffs Harbour City Mayor Cr Denise Knight said, “The year of 2019/20 threw everything at us – bushfire, flooding and lastly the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The Coffs Harbour community has been outstanding this year and continues to display amazing resilience,” Cr Knight said.

“Looking back, the official opening of the $18m redevelopment of the C.ex Coffs International Stadium, the staging of the Eco Surf Festival late 2019, and two highly successful Elton John concerts in February 2020 were clear highlights.”

Coffs Harbour City Council General Manager Steve McGrath said, “This Annual Report covers a period of time like no other.

“Council delivered a capital works program of $60.1 million and made ratepayer money go further with a coordinated effort to strategically target grant funding with great success,” Mr McGrath said.

Also contained within the Annual Report is information about overseas visits by councillors, mayor and councillor fees, major contracts awarded by Council, amounts incurred by Council in relation to legal proceedings, details of assets acquired and the condition of public works, and capital works projects.

A Council report on the Coffs Harbour City Council 2019/20 Annual Report stated “the report is a valuable resource to assist the community to understand the services and facilities that Council provides”.

The full report has now been released to the public and can be viewed on Council’s website at https://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Our-Responsibilities/Pages/corporate-planning-reporting.aspx.

 

By Emma DARBIN