Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Foreshore is officially for sale, following years of controversy and community protest.
NSW lands and property minister Steve Kamper said the sale of “some of the best land on the Coffs Harbour waterfront” will open the door for a “destination that better serves the community”.
The specifics: A 41,832 square metre piece of state-owned land between Jordan Esplanade and the railway line has been placed on the market, with developers able to submit expressions of interest until December 18.
The parcel of land currently for sale does not include the former Deep Sea Fishing Club site, a proposed hotel site at Corambirra Point, the Marina or Ferguson's Cottage.
Community anger: Bruce Weir, a long-time opponent of the foreshore development, said seeing the land advertised for sale “feels bloody awful”.
“We knew probably the day was coming, but when you see the advert, it brings it all home and feels like a kick to the guts of this community,” Weir said.
What they said: The state government projects the railway-adjacent land will host “250 new homes and 130 tourist accommodation rooms”, with more tourist accommodation to follow in other parts of the precinct.
JLL, the real estate firm managing the sale for the state government, states the land offers “a rare opportunity to deliver a landmark mixed-use precinct” which will include retail, hospitality and commercial offerings.
The background: The state’s property agency, Property and Development NSW, has been attempting to develop the Jetty Foreshore since 2018.
Since that time, debate has raged as to whether residential accommodation should be a feature of the project.
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.
How we got here: In October, the Jetty Foreshore precinct was rezoned by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).
In total, the new planning rules allow for around 250 new homes and 200 tourist accommodation rooms.
Building heights are capped at six storeys or 22.5 metres.
Council backing: Late last month, a majority of City of Coffs Harbour councillors voted to accept a Voluntary Planning Agreement for the precinct.
The council will receive $8.2m from the state for open space and foreshore park upgrades, approximately $1.9m in local infrastructure contributions, and a $750,000 contribution towards gateway/intersection works at the nearby Jetty Strip.
Not convinced: Many locals, including Weir, have expressed concern that the $8.2 million is insufficient for the works proposed, calling on the council to have the figures reassessed independently.
“Originally Property and Development NSW said $8.2 million would cover the playgrounds and things, and since then they've included two extra car parks that have got to be covered by that amount,” Weir said.
“That figure has got to be justified somehow.”
What’s next: A shortlist will be made from the developers who submit an expression of interest, and further proposals will be submitted in 2027.
Any construction will be subject to a development application process.