COFFS HARBOUR CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING

COUNCIL CHAMBER

COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

COFF AND CASTLE STREETS, COFFS HARBOUR

30 OCTOBER 2003 Contents ITEM DESCRIPTION PAGE

GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT

22 DRAFT HARBOUR PLAN 1

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COFFS HARBOUR CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING

30 OCTOBER 2003

Mayor and Councillors GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT

22 DRAFT HARBOUR PLAN

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to present the Draft Harbour Plan. The report recommends that the Plan and associated display material be exhibited for a period of three months to enable community input. Background: The development of this Plan has involved the following process:

cont’d

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22 Draft Harbour Plan (cont’d)

1. Establish Working Group

2. Develop Vision

3. Discussion Paper of Issues

4. Consideration of three development scenarios: high, medium, low development

5. Consultation with Stakeholders Community Groups

- State Rail Authority - Waterways Authority - National Parks and - Recreational users

Wildlife Service - Fishing Club - Department of Infrastructure, - Yacht Club

Planning and Natural Resources - Premier's Department - Aboriginal Land Council - NSW Coastal Council - Fishing Co-Op

6. Prepare Draft Plan

7. Conduct Feasibility Studies

8. Finalise Draft Plan

cont’d

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22 Draft Harbour Plan (cont’d) Description of Item: The Harbour Plan covers one of six precincts that will make up the Jetty Area Masterplan (refer map below):

The remainder of the precincts will be the subject of a separate planning process beginning later this year. The Harbour Plan (circulated separately to Councillors) is generally self explanatory, but it is worthwhile outlining the main proposals under the Plan in relation to economic, social and environmental sustainability factors; the triple bottom line. Sustainability Assessment: • Environment

- Water quality will be improved by the closure of the sewage outfall at Corambirra Point, connecting toilets to the sewerage system, policing bilge pump outs and upgrading the slipway facilities.

- Further water quality improvement will be achieved by better management of the 25km2 catchment of Coffs Creek.

- Flora and fauna will be protected through the rehabilitation of native vegetation on Corambirra Point, land west of the fishing club and land north of Marine Drive.

cont’d

Jetty Masterplan Area

The Harbour Precinct

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22 Draft Harbour Plan (cont’d)

- All new development will be required to be energy efficient.

- The design of new development will be water efficient including buildings and landscape areas.

- Aboriginal heritage sites and non-Aboriginal heritage sites will be protected and information about the rich history of the area will be displayed.

• Social

- An additional 2.25 ha of passive open space will be available to the community.

- New picnic areas, 2 new children’s playgrounds and establishment of the “Jetty Common” for special events and performances.

- A new 2 km long cycleway/pedestrianway will connect Park Beach to Corambirra Point.

- A new beachfront facility for naval cadets, public amenities, commercial tenancies and gymnasium.

- A viewing platform and accessway to Boambee Beach.

- Three beach concession areas for recreational craft, sports events and other intensive beach front activities.

- A new boardwalk adjacent Jetty Beach with sails on the beach to protect people from the hot summer sun.

- Improved launching ramp and boat trailer parking area.

• Economic - The cost of the Plan is $73.9 million, with funding to be sought from a mixture of private,

Federal, State and local government sources. The development will create 734 full-time jobs. Upon completion, it is expected that $82.3 million per annum will be returned to the regional economy.

- The new marina will relieve congestion in the existing marina and provide 100-150 new berths.

- The existing marina area will be redeveloped and revitalised and will include additional dining and retail space in a visitor friendly environment where cars and pedestrians are separated.

- A new marine service centre will be established adjacent the new marina with slipway, upgrading boat ramp, travel lift facilities, fuel wharf and lay up berths.

- Tourist accommodation in the form of 110 twin key apartments will be developed.

- Bus turnaround, taxi areas and road improvements. Appendix A provides a detailed assessment using Council's triple bottom line tool.

cont’d

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22 Draft Harbour Plan (cont’d) Issues: The main issues of concern that have been raised during the consultation process relate to the following: • impact on foreshore vegetation; • cost of the project; • level of development. • Impact on Foreshore Vegetation

The Draft plan proposes a 4 m wide walkway along the Harbour foreshore. It is intended to also improve sight lines between the foreshore parkland and the beach. These works will require modification of some areas of vegetation. Much of the existing foreshore vegetation is the result of rehabilitation work by Dunecare volunteers over the last 20 years; early photos show the area cleared prior to 1980. Council's Draft Vegetation Management Strategy maps vegetation in order of significance, namely vegetation of: - very high ecological value, - high ecological value, - medium ecological value, - low ecological value. The foreshore involves areas of very high, medium and low ecological value (refer Appendix B). The value of this vegetation is backed up by an 'Assessment of Flora of Ecological Significance' conducted in July 2002. The objectives of allowing development that embraces environmental values and providing convenient and safe access for users can be met by careful design. A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will be required to be undertaken at the detailed design stage. In conclusion, the vegetation of very high ecological significance, identified in Council's Vegetation Strategy, can be protected by careful design and will be subject to a REF at the detailed design stage.

• Cost of the Project

The Harbour is Coffs Habour's greatest asset and gives the City its 'sense of place'. The estimated cost of delivering the outcomes described in the Draft Plan is $73.9 million over a 10 year period. A financial program is provided in Appendix C, and represents the results of a Feasibility Study conducted by the Stafford Group and a Property Development Feasibility Appraisal by Foresite Pty. Limited. Council is currently negotiating with the State government for financial assistance. Funding opportunities will also be pursued with Federal government and private enterprise. Council's contribution to the project will be in the order of $15 million. Loans will be principally used by Council to fund its share, the repayments for which will be met partly by ancillary trading operations and partly by general revenue. A rate variation may be required from the Minister to provide for the latter.

cont’d

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22 Draft Harbour Plan (cont’d)

A Developer Contributions Plan could provide additional funds for the project as new subdivisions are created throughout the City. Additionally, it is expected that the project will create income streams from leasing opportunities. These could become significant as the project moves to completion and then continue into the future. It is intended to stage the project in order that it is principally completed in seven years, with the first year being utilised for requisite studies. The major construction works are proposed to be undertaken in years two to five, with enhancement to the use and accessibility of the existing marina precinct being undertaken in year seven. Redevelopment of the Harbour is one of Council's largest infrastructure projects sitting alongside the Sewerage Strategy Project ($170 million) and the Water Supply Strategy Project ($110 million). Like these other projects, the long-term rewards are significant. The Harbour Plan is expected to deliver 734 jobs and this will have considerable social and economic multiplier benefits for the City that justify the expenditure.

• Level of Development

The Draft Harbour Plan represents the results of a comprehensive review of different development scenarios. The Working Group charged with the responsibility for the plan considered three development scenarios; low level, medium and a high level development options (refer Appendix D). It was decided by the Working Group that a low level development option best met the objectives for sustainable development; low level development will not compromise the environmental qualities of the area. The Draft Plan generally provides for more intensive development within the areas that are already developed or disturbed. Development is generally confined to the existing marina and the area adjacent the boat ramp and buildings are generally to be limited to two storeys. Development of these areas will provide significant employment opportunities. The following table provides a snapshot of the land development features proposed under the plan.

Table 1

Land Development Features

Feature Unit/Measure

Current building footprint ratio Proposed building footprint ratio

1 %

4 %

Existing parking provision Proposed parking provision

458 spaces 869 spaces

Existing length of walkways Proposed length of walkways

1,600 m distance 3,115 m distance

Existing boat berths Proposed boat berths

231 berths 299-349 berths

The level of development proposed under the Draft Plan is within the existing zoning provisions; no changes in the zoning provisions are required.

cont’d

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22 Draft Harbour Plan (cont’d) In summary, the Draft Plan provides a balance between development and environmental protection. The benefit of the development in terms of delivering 734 employment opportunities is justification for the level of development proposed. In addition, the Draft Plan provides greater opportunities for recreation and tourism, necessary expansion of the marina facility and environmental benefits in water quality, rehabilitation and conservation. The Harbour will be a place for all people. Consultation: As stated previously in this report, there has been considerable consultation during the preparation of the Draft Plan. The community engagement strategy for the project will include: • newspaper advertisement; • brochure; • web site access; • information packs:

- frequently asked questions - information sheets - summary documents

• shopfront display; • media launch:

- television - newspaper - radio

• stakeholder consultation; • public forums. Statutory Requirements: The Draft Plan constitutes a Plan of Management under the provisions of the Crown Lands Act 1989. The Draft Plan will require the approval of the Department of Lands. Summary: The Draft Harbour Plan is in keeping with Council's vision for a Healthy City and meets the triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental) approach to sustainability. It is recommended that Council exhibit the Plan to obtain community feedback. Recommendation: That Council adopt the Draft Harbour Masterplan and Draft Plan of Management and place these documents on exhibition for a period of three months. Mark Ferguson General Manager