On February 20 2024, both Greens MLC Sue Higginson and Liberal MLC Scott Farlow questioned Lands and Property Minister Stephen Kamper on the future of the Jetty Foreshores.

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Mr Farlow, who serves as the Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, as well as Housing, sought a project update from Mr Kamper, who said the Jetty Foreshores plan was an opportunity to supply “over a few hundred apartments” as well as “key worker housing, general housing and social housing” and commercial opportunities.

“We’re moving forward with that and we’re really excited about what that will do for Coffs Harbour and what it will do in terms of attracting tourism to Coffs Harbour, and the housing – housing for people who want to work in Coffs Harbour, who want to work in and around that area and can’t find housing,” Mr Kamper said.

Mr Farlow then asked Mr Kamper to provide the total projected cost over the next four financial years for the Jetty Foreshores project, and the number of residential and short-stay dwellings planned for the precinct.

Both questions were taken on notice.

On March 18, Property and Development NSW’s Leon Walker responded to those questions, confirming that up to 450 dwellings were destined for the Jetty Foreshores precinct.

“Up to 250 residential dwellings and 200 short stay units are proposed, subject to planning approvals,” Mr Walker confirmed.

“The NSW Government is focused on delivering its election commitment to address the housing crisis and increase housing supply – a live and significant issue in Coffs Harbour.”

Representatives of the City of Coffs Harbour have been left shocked by the Government’s admission.

Mayor Paul Amos, a staunch opponent of the State Government plans, said the number was far in excess of that previously promoted to the community.

“This is an enclave bigger than the population of Coramba, and it comes on the back of breaking an election promise of no private residential at the Jetty Foreshores,” Mayor Amos said.

“It will choke out potential for parklands and our community has been stitched up, we will lose this land forever.”

Mayor Amos also addressed the urgent need for affordable housing in Coffs Harbour.

“We have identified that we have 8085 dwelling yields in our Park Beach, Jetty, west and central Coffs and Arthur Street areas.

“These are our affordable housing opportunities.

“I implore the community to write to your local member Gurmesh Singh, Minister Stephen Kamper and the Premier to right this wrong,” Mayor Amos said.

In November 2023, the City of Coffs Harbour submitted a formal offer to the State Government to purchase the Jetty Foreshores land, which was formally rejected earlier this year.

The decision to reject Council’s $6.7 million offer, which included an additional two City-owned blocks of land in the CBD, was also questioned by Greens MP Sue Higginson during Budget Estimates.

Mr Walker said “a lack of detail” in terms of “what would be delivered and when it would be delivered” was a key factor in the refusal of the City’s offer.

Kiersten Fishburn, the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, clarified the Government’s position further.

“The proposition from Council was put forward as an unsolicited proposal; it didn’t meet the unsolicited proposal guidelines,” she said.

“The valuation was not considered appropriate for the land value, nor was the uses materially different from what the State was intending to do anyway.

“Secondly, I think it’s important to stress that this is intended to be a project to develop the foreshore; it’s not a revenue-generating project.

“Monies generated will be brought back into the precinct itself, so it is about revitalisation for Coffs Harbour.”

By Doug CONNOR