THE City of Coffs Harbour Council unanimously adopted the Coffs Harbour Movement and Place Strategy at its meeting on September 28.

The strategy provides an action plan for the next 20 years to improve walking and cycling networks, bus services, and the City’s roads and streets to contribute to a better place to live, work and play.

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The development of the strategy was conducted in collaboration with Transport for NSW and other state agencies.

One of the main priorities in the strategy is seeking funding opportunities for more footpaths and bike paths.

“This strategy has been developed to ensure that Coffs Harbour remains one of the most desirable places in the country to live, work and visit,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos said.

The strategy sets out several goals, called the ‘10 Big Moves’.

These include improving the City’s walking and cycling networks and public transport services and providing better streets.

It also includes connecting the City’s key precincts and growth areas and its communities as well as linking and protecting its network of open spaces and waterways.

Ian Fitzgibbon, acting City of Coffs Harbour Director of City Planning and Communities, said, “This is the start of a journey for the City.

“We want to make it safe and convenient for the community to walk, cycle or catch a bus, where kids can scoot to school, and the elderly can easily get around.”

“This strategy provides a shared vision and direction to change the way the City’s places and transport networks are designed, planned and delivered in order to deliver maximum benefit for the community and visitors.”

While many people might agree that the aims of the strategy are praiseworthy, not all residents agree.

The Movement and Place Strategy is available on the City of Coffs Harbour website.

It provides current data about the demographics of the City and predicts challenges that face a growing city in which not everyone owns a car and that access to transport affects social equity and health.

The Strategy identifies three liveability improvement priorities across the Coffs Harbour LGA of quality of public space (footpaths, verges, parks etc.), access and safety of walking, bike riding and/ or public transport and walking/jogging/bike paths that connect housing to shops, parks etc.

It states that its goals are for transport systems that better support vibrant and inclusive places, an active, safe and healthy community, a thriving and sustainable local economy, liveable neighbourhoods and a natural environment that is sustained into the future.

By Andrew VIVIAN