What you can do

Now is time to act

It’s easy – take a moment to read about the problems with the Government’s proposal (see the Facts below) and

Ring, write or email our local state member Gurmesh Singh to let him know what you think
Ring, write or email the NSW Premier, the Ministers who are making decisions, and the parliamentarians who have influence at the contact details below – please email them individually
Tell our Coffs Harbour City Councillors that this development is not good enough and they need to do their job and represent what Coffs Harbour wants
Follow Foreshore for All on Facebook to find out about upcoming events and activities
Make a donation to support the campaign, and sign up to join our group and lend a hand
Talk about this with your family and friends. We want everybody to know what is happening at our Foreshores and how we can work together to help make it a place we can all enjoy.

The facts

Cost blowout

The Minns Government wants the project to pay for itself but admits the cost of our promised parklands, public infrastructure and community spaces won’t be met by the development proceeds.

Where will the money for these promises come from?

The only option the Government has identified for generating more funding for community initiatives is to increase the scale and height of any development. They have the power to do this if the rezoning goes ahead.

Congestion

The proposed development will slash public parking spaces along the foreshores and beachgoers will need to park as far away as the train station and beyond during busy times.

With no planned changes to road access, the increased traffic associated with up to 450 new apartments and hotel rooms will create unprecedented congestion.

What will this mean for Coffs families and individuals wanting to go fishing, picnicking, surfing, swimming, running, skating, kayaking, outrigger-canoeing and sailing around the harbour?

Climate wipeout

The NSW Government’s plan puts new apartments and infrastructure a storm surge from the ocean. It goes against everything we understand about the coastal impact of climate change.

Coffs Harbour City Council identified the foreshores as an area at extreme risk of erosion and flooding as the sea level rises. The Government has provided no detail about how this will impact the development or how it will be protected.

Why isn’t the NSW Government following its own advice and protecting our coastal land that is vulnerable to storms and flooding?

When a weather event happens, will ratepayers be left having to pay?

Housing fail

This is not a housing solution for our community.

The NSW Government says they don’t know how much, if any, affordable and social housing will be included in the development. At current valuations, any new foreshore apartments will be sold to the highest bidders for millions.

According to the Local Growth Management Strategy 2020, prepared by Coffs Council and endorsed by the NSW Government, our city doesn’t have a predicted housing shortage and there are significant areas in the city centre and west of the railway line at the Jetty and Park Beach which are best-placed for potential new apartment developments.

Land grab

The proposed development will permanently put valuable public recreation land into private hands in our most popular recreation area.

Coffs is forecast to be home to more than 100,000 people by 2041. This is an opportunity to make sure we have the space for everyone to enjoy picnics, sports and markets where we want them now and into the future.

Let’s take the long-term view and rezone for leisure for all not luxury apartments for the few.

Aboriginal Elders ignored

The Jetty Foreshores is the centre of Gumbaynggirr Country, with special meaning and strong historical, traditional and cultural connection for Aboriginal Gumbaynggirr people.

The area along, surrounding and within the Foreshores has a web of Aboriginal Sacred Sites.

The NSW Government has ignored repeated calls by the Garlambirla Guyuu-Girrwaa Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Elders Corporation to preserve open space and public land in the area.

They only listen to the stories they want to hear.

Tourism blow

Coffs is recognised as an eco and experience tourism hot spot – the first and only certified ECO Tourism destination in NSW – and our visitor numbers jumped 20% in 2023/24.

Why threaten our current and future outdoor tourism credentials by rezoning to limit open space in what is already our most popular recreation area?

This is an opportunity to enhance our parklands and improve our facilities for everybody to enjoy.