Letter to the Editor: Can you hear us? Opinion Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad by News Of The Area - Modern Media - December 3, 2024 DEAR News Of The Area, HOW good would it be to have an MP who listened to Coffs residents and properly represented them in the NSW Parliament? The planned development of the Coffs Jetty Foreshore precinct is a perfect example of our local MP seemingly deaf to the majority of local voices. Having an MP who was onside with residents, the disastrous plans for the Jetty Foreshore would most likely not be proceeding. At Lake Illawarra south of Sydney their local MP listened to residents and was able to stop an unwanted government sponsored development there. Here in Coffs we have an unwanted Foreshore development plan put together by a bureaucrat in Sydney and unbelievably it has been supported by Coffs Council’s ‘Gang of 5’ and the State MP, whilst totalling ignoring the clear vote of 33,161 residents who want the Foreshore to remain as recreational land. It is not often that a National Party MP supports a Labor government especially against the wishes of most of his constituents. We definitely deserve better representation and decisions that are made for all residents rather than a select few. Regards, Kevin MONTGOMERY, North Boambee Valley.
The current Council includes 4 new Councillors, voted for by the largest winnimg margin in the history of Coffs Harbour Council elections. Their manifesto was clearly outlined to the community, to suggest that Coffs Harbour wants something different is ignoring the election result. We now have a seat at the table with the State and Federal Governments and a relationship with our popularly elected State member Gurmesh Singh. The damage caused by not having a relationship with major, influential stakeholders, within and outside of our community, is now being repaired, very quickly. The days of minority views having a major influence within Coffs Harbour, appear to thankfully, be limited, for at least the next 4 years. Reply
