The Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores precinct has been rezoned, paving the way for 450 dwellings to be built on the beachside site.
Lands and Property minister Steve Kamper said the move will “deliver new homes, support local jobs and boost tourism”, while project opponent Helen Weir described it as a “sad day for Coffs Harbour”.
The background: The community and the state have clashed for years over whether residential development should be allowed in the Jetty Foreshores precinct.
Those opposing development want the land to remain as open recreational space for community use, while those in support say the foreshore is underutilised and a missed opportunity for economic growth.
A 2024 poll held by the NSW Electoral Commission found more than 68 percent of voters said no to “multi-level private residential development” at the foreshore.
What now?: The proposal was placed on public exhibition from May 19 to June 30, 2025, receiving 1,724 submissions.
It was then submitted by Property Development NSW (PDNSW) - the state’s central property agency - to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).
This morning, Minister Kamper and his colleague Paul Scully - Minister for Planning and Public Spaces - announced it was approved.
What that means: Developers will now be permitted to build up to 450 dwellings, likely consisting of 250 residential homes and 200 tourist accommodation rooms, between the railway line and Jordan Esplanade.
Building heights will be capped at six storeys.
The concept plan also includes retail, commercial, tourism and community facilities.
Within the approval, the state has confirmed the Deep Sea Fishing Club site will be utilised for tourism only.
Housing commitments: The state has included a commitment that some affordable homes will be built off the back of the rezoning.
The DPHI claims three percent of the total floor space of the residential accommodation will be used for affordable housing in perpetuity.
If every apartment was the same size, this would equate to about 7.5 homes out of 250.
Alternatively, developers would be able to make a financial contribution to build the equivalent number of affordable homes nearby.
What they said: Scully said the government had “heard the concerns of the local community, and … reduced building heights and increased the amount of open space and affordable housing in this finalised plan”.
Helen Weir, a vocal critic for many years of plans to develop the site, said the approved rezoning is “extremely disappointing”.
“This decision completely goes against community sentiment, purely to proceed with what is, to all intents and purposes, luxury residential housing and tourist accommodation.”
What’s next: The rezoning is not an approval for the development itself.
No timeline for DA submission has been provided.