The group is composed of Gumbaynggirr Elders and custodians, a number of City of Coffs Harbour councillors and leaders of a range of community groups.

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The group argues that the Jetty area is used by Coffs Harbour residents as a public place of community connection and is recognised by the people of the Gumbaynggirr nation as a place of gathering, healing and wellbeing.

The group members are highlighting a 2023 decision by the NSW Government to keep an 8.2-hectare parcel of land on the Lake Illawarra foreshore at Warrawong in public hands, after community pushback, as evidence the Jetty Foreshores site should too be retained as community space.

In February 2023, prior to last year’s State Election, the Labor Party promised to stop the sale of the Warrawong land if elected.

In May that year, newly appointed Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper confirmed the new government had listened to community feedback and would not sell the site.

“During the election campaign we listened to the community, and we are now making good on our commitment not to sell the site,” Mr Kamper said at the time.

“The government, where appropriate, has a responsibility to make sure public land remains in public hands and is used to benefit the community.”

Local group members are now questioning why that same reasoning is not being applied to the Jetty Foreshores.

A group spokesperson told NOTA a town hall meeting will be held shortly to “empower our community with opportunities to protect the foreshores”.

Other plans include an event with bands, DJs and speakers.

“All local residents with a love for our Jetty Foreshores are invited to get involved and to get active to protect this valuable community asset from being lost to private residential development.”

Tony Judge, one of the City of Coffs Harbour councillors in the group, holds concerns over the parking impacts if residential development goes ahead east of the railway line.

“I’m not sure we’ve thought through that 450 new dwellings probably means at least 800 extra cars in an area in which it is already very difficult to park,” he said.

“According to the Government’s master plan, the informal parking off Marina Drive will go, so there will be less parking and more cars.

“No-one will want to be in a position in five years time and remember the lyrics to ‘Big Yellow Taxi’.”

The Mayor of Coffs Harbour, Paul Amos, told NOTA, “I really commend all those people for caring enough about the community to take this action.

“I suggest that anyone who is interested in the fate of the foreshores to investigate the Facebook page: Jetty Foreshores – Let’s Own Our Future.

“I would like to see our community given the same consideration as other communities around New South Wales.”

By Andrew VIVIAN