The NSW Government will contribute $10.85 million to upgrade community space at the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore, subject to the proposed precinct revitalisation proceeding.
At its 23 April meeting, the City of Coffs Harbour resolved to place a draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) on public exhibition for 28 days.
Following negotiations, state agency Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) submitted a revised offer proposing to:
- contribute $750,000 towards a gateway entrance at the Harbour Drive/Orlando Street/Marina Drive intersection;
- provide about $1.9 million for local infrastructure, calculated under the City’s developer contributions framework and based on indicative dwelling yield; and
- fund public domain works within the precinct, capped at $8.2 million.
The State will also meet costs for road realignment and required water and sewer infrastructure.
Public domain works would be delivered in stages across the precinct, including the North Park, Jetty Hub and Village Centre areas. Proposed upgrades include accessible pathways, a regional adventure playground and water play features.
Mayor Nikki Williams said the draft VPA covered NSW Government-owned land and supported a rezoning proposal for about 250 homes and 200 tourist accommodation rooms.
“The City received a revised letter of offer from PDNSW after seeking improvements to the initial proposal,” Williams said.
“The updated offer includes concept designs and outlines the scope of public open space and domain upgrades, along with a financial commitment towards a gateway entrance appropriate to the site.”
City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said the draft VPA would deliver a higher return than standard developer contributions.
“Under a contributions plan, residential contributions are capped at $20,000 per dwelling in infill areas,” Fitzgibbon said.
“Applied to a theoretical 450 dwellings, that would yield about $9 million. By comparison, the draft VPA proposes $10.85 million, exceeding that benchmark by around $1.85 million.”
The VPA is linked to a rezoning application being assessed under the State Significant Rezoning Policy to amend the Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2013.
PDNSW chief executive Gavin Boswarva said the proposal aimed to deliver “significant public benefit outcomes” while responding to the precinct’s coastal and cultural context.
City General Manager Murray Wood said the community expected the infrastructure outlined in the masterplan to be delivered.
“The City encourages PDNSW to consider additional profit-sharing mechanisms above current yield estimates to increase investment in open space,” Wood said.
“There is also an opportunity to bring forward delivery of open space, pathways, parking and play areas to maximise early public benefit.”
Under the draft deed, the $8.2 million public domain works would include:
- $1.9 million for North Park and Carpark A;
- $3 million for Jetty Hub and Carpark B, including the play area; and
- $3.3 million for the Village Centre, including the Village Green.
The draft Jordan Esplanade VPA is available on the City’s website. Submissions close on 26 May.
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