ExclusiveKirsten CrazeWed 11 Nov 26
Coffs Harbour’s 40-Year Waterfront Stalemate Heads to Market
After more than 40 years of debate, plans to transform Coffs Harbour’s prized Jetty Foreshore are a step closer to delivery.
The 4.18ha parcel of newly rezoned state-owned land wedged between the train line and the natural foreshore scrubland has been a pain point for residents as well as neighbouring private stakeholders and government for generations.
Currently vacant, the approximately 500m-long strip borders public green space used for Sunday markets and festivals metres from Coffs Harbour’s historic timber jetty and international marina.
Property and Development NSW has appointed JLL agents Gordon Mcfadyen, Dylan McEvoy and Harry Sullivan to market the Jordan Esplanade site, which is part of the much-anticipated Jetty Foreshore renewal project.
The JLL team declined to comment on the listing or the potential value of the land being offered via an expressions of interest campaign due to close on December 18.
For the first time, the substantial slice of foreshore land will transfer into private hands and the winning bidder will be tasked with transforming the site within the new planning framework and masterplan to deliver a vibrant waterfront destination.
Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure deputy secretary of property, workplace and development Leon Walker said the sale to a private developer did not signal the end of government ties to the area.
“Any net proceeds we make from the sale of that specific parcel of land ... will go back into that Jetty Foreshore precinct,” he said.
The state has also committed $8.2 million to open space and foreshore park upgrades, alongside $750,000 for road improvements.
“We will certainly have ongoing involvement in terms of the future direction of the site,” Walker said.
The listing follows the announcement last month that the state gad rezoned the parcel to create a mixed-use waterfront precinct incorporating residential, tourist accommodation, retail, hospitality and commercial uses.
An illustrative masterplan prepared by SJB envisages about 250 homes and 200 tourist rooms across six sub-precincts.
Walker said that Coffs Harbour’s changing landscape meant it was well positioned to become a vital regional hub.
“From a government perspective, we see Coffs Harbour as being the key strategic centre on that part of the North Coast,” he said.
“Now is the time, also with the bypass on its way, that the town either capitalises on these opportunities, or risk the likes of Port Macquarie or Tweed Heads basically surpassing it as the important regional centre.”
The land listing comes as Coffs Harbour prepares for another significant infrastructure change, with the $2.2 billion, 14km Pacific Highway bypass nearing completion.
A rare real estate listing for Coffs Harbour, Walker said the waterfront site was a once-in-a-decade sale for the state.
“I've been working for the NSW government for 10 years and I can’t actually think of anything of that level of, in terms of waterfront property, that has come on the market in recent memory,” he said.
“Finding the right developer who can partner with us to to realise that vision is very important.
“Coffs is a magnificent place with tremendous opportunity.”
The final planning framework for the precinct followed substantial community consultation, with 1724 submissions received during public exhibition.
In response, the state reduced proposed building heights and introduced design guidelines intended to protect views towards Muttonbird Island and Corambirra Point.
Building heights of up to 22.5m have been given the green light, allowing for structures of between two and six storeys to capitalise on views across Jetty Beach, the Marina and the Pacific Ocean.
