A NSW Government funding commitment to build a new Moonee footbridge has been welcomed by the City of Coffs Harbour.
The community has been pressing for a replacement bridge after the original structure was closed in 2022 due to safety concerns and then demolished in June last year.
At its meeting last night, Coffs Harbour Council noted the announcement by Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper to lock-in funding for a new bridge.
“This a great and long-awaited result as the absence of a pedestrian bridge to the headland has raised safety concerns and also been detrimental to our tourism offering as it was the missing link on our 60-kilometre Solitary Islands Coastal Walk,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“Last year there was a fire on the headland, and the absence of a footbridge created additional challenge for firefighters.”
Construction funding will be provided by Crown Lands, part of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, with a development application due to be submitted to the Council in June this year.
A tender will be issued for construction works following completion of the DA process. Construction of the footbridge will begin in June 2027, pending approvals and the procurement of a construction contractor.
The construction commitment follows the appointment of Coffs Harbour company BK Engineering Consulting Solutions in December to design the new footbridge.
City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick noted the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust (a body that includes representatives of the City and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service) had pledged $100,000 for Stage 1 (design and planning) of the project, as had Crown Lands ($350,000) and Reflections Holidays ($50,000).
“This is an important access over Sugar Mill Creek, which links the Coffs Coast Regional Park and Green Bluff to Crown Land managed by Reflections,” Beswick said.
It’s understood construction on the new bridge will start in 2027.
“The NSW Government is proud to support the construction of a brand-new Moonee Beach footbridge to restore safe and reliable access for locals and visitors to the beaches, headlands and trails they love in this area, Minister Kamper said.
“By backing this project we are supporting local tourism and the thousands of visitors who come to experience the Coffs Coast each year.”
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