The NSW Government today unveiled its plans for a new community building at the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore as part of a $5 million revamp to create new public amenities, community spaces, café-style dining and improved waterfront access.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the Government’s proposal for a new community building on the existing TS Vendetta site had been lodged with Coffs Harbour City Council for planning approval.
“The use of government stimulus funding to create a new, community-owned building on this under-utilised site will activate this part of the foreshore and generate ongoing economic benefits,” Mr Singh said.
“This is the first stage of the NSW Government’s plans to generate additional activity at the Jetty Foreshore by delivering family friendly and community places and spaces that provide real benefits for locals and visitors.
“This building will be a vibrant gathering place for the community and I urge residents to share their thoughts with us during the council’s current public exhibition period, which runs until 8 September.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the council, community and other stakeholders to create a world-class, family friendly oceanfront precinct.”
Trent Walsh and Harriette Fisher, from King and Campbell, were selected to design the building following a competition for emerging regional architects.
Respecting the area’s indigenous, environmental and maritime roots, the plans incorporate extensive public domain and landscaping works.
As part of this, the Government has also supported the council with an additional $175,000 grant to incorporate the South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic (SSILO) within the new building’s landscape.
The proposed community spaces within the new building will be shared by the existing users of the current TS Vendetta site, the naval cadets, along with other community groups.
The Government will work with the council to seek proposals from community and sporting groups interested in using the new facilities, or parts of the site, through a future expression of interest process.
Pending planning approval, work on the community building is expected to start later in 2021. The building will be delivered alongside $15 million in essential services and civil infrastructure upgrades across the foreshore precinct over the same period.
Mr Singh said these priority projects will be undertaken while the broader masterplan for the Jetty Foreshore precinct was undergoing further design development.
“The outcomes from the extensive community consultation for the Jetty Foreshore precinct will be released this month and used to further inform and refine our masterplan that will provide another opportunity for the community to have their say across the broader precinct,” Mr Singh said.
“The initial investment in infrastructure is a generational opportunity for the future staged development of the foreshore to realise the community’s ambition for the area.”
Groups keen to participate in the EOI process can register their interest at www.coffsjettyrevitalisation.com.au.
