Coffs Coast Advocate

2021: Developments that will shape the future of Coffs

Coffs is in the midst of a development boom. As we enter 2021, we’ve compiled a list of just what’s to come.

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05th Jan. 2021 12:01 PM

There are some major developments set to shape the future of the Coffs Coast. Here's a list of what's to come.

Finally, a decision on Cultural and Civic Space DA

Mayor Denise Knight delighted but MP Gurmesh Singh urges Councillors to reconsider.

cultural and civic space

30th Nov. 2020 12:11 PM

Mayor Denise Knight welcomes the DA approval while MP Gurmesh Singh has urged a rethink.

Your say: Thumbs up, thumbs down

From politicians to butchers - see what got the thumbs up and thumbs down this week.

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space editors desk jo besley thumbs up thumbs down your say

01st Nov. 2020 2:11 PM

See bushfires through a different lens at Culture Hub

A temporary Culture Hub has been launched in Coffs Central.

art gallery coffs harbour coffs central cultural and civic space nana glen bushfires

27th Oct. 2020 7:10 PM

A temporary, inner-city, 'Culture Hub' has been launched in Coffs Central.

REVEALED: Who is turning up to meetings and briefings

Attendance rates vary widely from one Councillor to another.

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space john arkan mayor denise knight

21st Oct. 2020 3:10 PM

Cr John Arkan attended just one of the 31 briefings held to inform Councillors prior to their meetings.

Protesters will be back for more

Protesters will again gather outside Council chambers this week.

coffs harbour city council coffs harbour cultural and civic space cultural and civic space protests

19th Oct. 2020 3:10 PM

Protesters will again express their opposition to the Cultural and Civic Space prior to this week's Council meeting.

Council gets offer on museum

An offer has been made on one of the buildings up for sale to help fund the Cultural and Civic Space.

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04th Oct. 2020 2:10 PM

Fiery protest: ‘They went up very bloody quickly’

Watch as George Partos burns his rates notice outside Council chambers.

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28th Sept. 2020 11:09 AM

George Partos burning his rates notice outside Coffs Harbour City Council chambers on Monday morning in protest against the planned Cultural and Civic Space.

Why such a big gap? More than $20m not spent

‘Why such a big gap?’ asks one Coffs Harbour City Councillor.

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07th Sept. 2020 5:09 PM

Under spending on a number of major projects has contributed to the $22m in 'revotes' which need to be moved into next year's budget.

Minister asked to stall project

Council should go into caretaker mode says this letter writer.

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space mayor denise knight minister for local government

20th Aug. 2020 10:08 AM

Coffs Harbour City Councillors talk about their intentions for the postponed elections.

We deserve better than ‘wild claims and sensationalism’

Letter writer says we deserve better than ‘wild claims and sensationalism’ like those from Cr Rhoades.

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17th Aug. 2020 12:08 PM

A graphic showing how the building will look along Gordon Street.

DA update on Cultural and Civic Space

The DA attracted more than 800 submissions.

2020 local government elections coffs harbour city councillors coffs harbour cultural and civic space cultural and civic space mayor denise knight

12th Aug. 2020 12:08 PM

Mayor Denise Knight is a strong supporter of the project but Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock has spoken out against it.

Push ahead with plans or cop an extra $38m Crs warned

Council could face extra costs of $38 million over 20 years if it doesn’t push on with the plan, a report has warned.

coffs harbour council coffs harbour cultural and civic space cultural and civic space denise knight minister for local government ray hadley

10th Aug. 2020 3:08 PM

Four Council buildings, including the chambers in Castle St, are up for sale to help fund the Cultural and Civic Space.

'TONE-DEAF': MP slams council's 'obsession' with project

"Council’s obsession with its Gordon St project is short-sighted and tone-deaf in the current economic climate."

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space culture nsw government

24th July 2020 2:07 PM

An artist’s impression of the Cultural and Civic Space.

Council offices could make way for commercial ventures

The move could pave the way for the removal of the council staff and administration offices from the $76.5 million...

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15th May 2020 9:05 AM

Four Council buildings, including the chambers in Castle St, were up for sale to help fund the Cultural and Civic Space.

Councillor weighing up the options

A strong advocate for the Cultural and Civic Space, this councillor has criticised the Advocate’scoverage.

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13th May 2020 2:05 PM

Coffs Harbour City Councillors have been split four/four on the matter for many months now.

Building sale hits a major hurdle

The sale of Council buildings to help fund the Cultural and Civic Space has hit a major hurdle.

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11th May 2020 3:05 PM

The Coffs Harbour City Council administration building is up for sale to help fund the Cultural and Civic Space.

Minister will change the law if that's what it takes

Local Govt Minister Shelley Hancock says she will make legislative changes to halt the project.

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27th April 2020 12:04 PM

Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock took to commercial radio this morning calling for a halt to the project.

‘How dare he’ warns Mayor as State MP weighs in

Gurmesh Singh wrote to Coffs councillors prior to tonight’s vote urging them to halt the Cultural and Civic Space.

coffs harbour city council coffs harbour cultural and civic space cultural and civic space gurmesh singh

23rd April 2020 7:04 PM

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh wrote to Coffs Harbour City Councillors prior to tonight’s vote and has also written to the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in relation to the controversial Gordon Street project.

Councillors say work must stop on cultural centre planning

ONLINE POLL: Do you agree with calls from councillors for the city to suspend planning on the cultural and civic centre...

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20th April 2020 11:04 AM

The Coffs Harbour City Council administration building and council chambers is currently on the market.

No public access to Council meeting in response to COVID-19

There will be no public gallery at tonight’s Coffs Harbour City Council meeting as a precaution to help reduce the spread...

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26th March 2020 2:03 PM

Coffs Harbour City Council chambers up for sale to help fund the Cultural and civic Space.

Early build contractor appointed for Cultural & Civic Space

Another contractor has been appointed to progress with Coffs Harbour City Council’s $76.5m Cultural and Civic Space.

building contractor coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space

17th March 2020 3:03 PM

Councillors have voted to appoint Lipman Pty Ltd to provide Early Contractor Involvement services for the Cultural and Civic Space.

A ‘Disgusting’ situation in lead up to Council elections

‘People have been asking me whether I am standing or not, but the answer is no.’

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09th March 2020 1:03 PM

A retired barrister rumoured to be running for Council has warned of the ‘absolutely disgusting’ situation emerging in the lead up to the elections.

REVEALED: Builders shortlisted for Gordon St project

Building contractor to be considered for Cultural and Civic Space.

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09th March 2020 10:03 AM

Will it be another tied vote leaving Mayor Denise Knight to consider using her casting vote?

Prominent businessman rules out running for Council

He says the unrest in Council chambers is ‘out of control’

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27th Feb. 2020 10:02 AM

A businessman widely rumoured to be running in the September elections has ruled it out; saying the bitter divide over the Cultural and Civic Space is limiting the pool of candidates.

Rumour mill in overdrive in lead up to council elections

One person rumoured to be running has made his intentions clear.

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19th Feb. 2020 1:02 PM

Coffs Harbour City Council, Council Chambers. Photo by Trevor Veale

New website aims to set record straight on airport’s future

Council provides answers, following some concerns from some locals that an airport lease would be used to fund the Cultural...

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19th Feb. 2020 11:02 AM

Coffs Harbour City Council is working on a long-term lease of Coffs Harbour Regional Airport to a private operator.

Mayor 'cannot wait' for bold vision to take shape

Consultants have been appointed to work on the Cultural and Civic Space.

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18th Feb. 2020 2:02 PM

Mayor Denise Knight says she “cannot wait to see the new Cultural and Civic Space start to take shape”

Major CBD property owner backs Cultural and Civic Space

Major CBD property owner has come out in support of the Cultural and Civic Space.

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18th Feb. 2020 10:02 AM

The turnaround comes after the company made a submission to the State Government in relation to council's development application for the project which criticised a number of aspects of the proposal.

REVEALED: Tenders in for Cultural and Civic Space

Despite widespread opposition Council is moving ahead with awarding tenders for the Cultural and Civic Space.

cbd coffs harbour cbd coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space

10th Feb. 2020 1:02 PM

The ambitious project has created a split in Coffs Harbour City Council.

Council calls for more time to wade through submissions

Council has been overwhelmed with the number of submissions in response to their development application for the Cultural...

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22nd Jan. 2020 3:01 PM

Council was given the deadline of January 20 to respond to the submissions in relation to their development application for the Cultural and Civic Space.

FULL LIST: Big things happening in Coffs in 2020

The Coffs Coast Advocate continues its Big Things Coming to the Coffs Coast series as we delve into 2020.

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16th Jan. 2020 10:01 AM

BIG THINGS: There are some major infrastructure works underway on the Coffs Coast this year.

Gowings weighs into Cultural and Civic Space debate

Gowings has weighed into the debate over the Cultural and Civic Space.

coffs harbour coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space gowings

06th Jan. 2020 2:01 PM

The State Government has received 874 submissions in relation to the proposal including one from major property owner Gowings.

Have your say on performing arts discussion paper

The discussion paper says a performing arts centre should be in the CBD.

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17th Dec. 2019 11:12 AM

Investigations into a performing arts space have been ongoing since 2015.

It’s a $9M funding mystery

A freedom of information request has been granted but there’s more to come.

andrew fraser coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space local government

05th Dec. 2019 1:12 PM

The proposal has divided Coffs Harbour City Council.

REVEALED: Civic space funding ‘myth’

The Cultural and Civic Space was once again the subject of lengthy and heated debate at the council chambers on Thursday...

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space denise knight keith rhoades steve gooley

29th Nov. 2019 11:11 AM

Two motions by Cr Keith Rhoades who has been a vocal critic of the $76.5m proposal were up for consideration at Thursday night’s council meeting.

'The rage is palpable': Cultural Centre back on the agenda

It was another packed public gallery and fiery debate with the Cultural and Civic Space again taking centre stage in the...

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15th Nov. 2019 8:11 AM

The controversial $76.5 million Cultural and Civic Space was raised again in the Coffs Harbour City Council chambers on Thursday night.

Councillors continue efforts to pause Gordon St project

Councillors opposed to the Cultural and Civic Space are not giving up.

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space denise knight

11th Nov. 2019 2:11 PM

Two separate motions opposed to progressing with the Cultural and Civic Space will be discussed at this week's council meeting.

GO-AHEAD: Council‘s controversial project deemed to be sound

Minister for Local Government says residents should show their dissatisfaction at the next council election.

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space minister for local government petition shelley hancock state parliament

30th Oct. 2019 1:10 PM

An artist impression of the Cultural and Civic Space.

We pay more to mow footy fields than we give to the arts

Archibald Prize winning artist dedicates stirring speech to a 'f*****' of a careers advisor.

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28th Oct. 2019 1:10 PM

Archibald Prize winning artist Ben Quilty spoke as a special guest of The Friends of the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

Petition has its day in State Parliament

The single most divisive political issue in Coffs Harbour in 2019 has been debated in State Parliament.

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25th Oct. 2019 8:10 AM

An artist's impression of how the building will look in Gordon St.

Ratepayers to rally against $76.5 million development

Opponents to the Civic and Culture Centre to meet in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday.

coffs coast coffs harbour coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space development application gordon st

18th Oct. 2019 2:10 PM

Submissions for and against the development can be made through the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment up until October 30.

Another Facebook page in the information mix

A new Facebook page and website has been created to help promote a controversial project.

cbd coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space denise knight

10th Oct. 2019 3:10 PM

An image from the new Coffs Harbour City Council website dedicated to providing information on the Cultural and Civic Space.

Controversial DA to go on public exhibition

THE development application for the Cultural and Civic Space will go on public exhibition this week.

coffs harbour city council coffs harbour cultural and civic space cultural and civic space development application

30th Sept. 2019 11:09 AM

The proposal has led to deep divisions among councillors and within the community.

What’s next for petition now it’s been tabled in parliament?

The anti-Cultural and Civic space petition has been tabled, but what happens next ?

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space denise knight gurmesh singh

17th Sept. 2019 11:09 AM

The petition against Coffs Harbour City Council’s proposed Cultural and Civic Space has been tabled in parliament but what happens next?

Councillor says ‘call in the experts’ for a review

One councillor is calling for a review and fears divisions will be very hard to heal.

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12th Aug. 2019 2:08 PM

The council chambers building will be one of several sold to help offset the cost of the Gordon St development.

REVEALED: How the Coffs Civic Space will progress to a build

Council says it is strenuously pursuing grant funding from the State and Federal governments, which would reduce the size...

coffs harbour city council cultural and civic space gordon st

09th Aug. 2019 11:08 AM

Coffs Harbour City Council's schematic design for the $76.5 million Civic and Cultural Centre.

Councillors break the deadlock in fiery meeting

A packed public gallery clearly divided shouted "shame" while others cheered and clapped.

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08th Aug. 2019 4:08 PM

Mayor Denise Knight using her casting vote to defeat the rescission motion to stall the $76.5 million Cultural and Civic Space development.

Detractors ‘obsessed with City Hill’ could kill project

Well known local slams 'appalling engagement' of Sydney shock jock Ray Hadley.

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07th Aug. 2019 12:08 PM

IN THE KNOW: Dave Schama worked for Coffs Harbour City Councillor as a contractor to assist in the planning for the Cultural and Civic Space.

STANDOFF: Council in limbo over Cultural and Civic Space

Rolling coverage: The controversial meeting to decide the fate of the Cultural and Civic Space has been adjourned after...

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26th July 2019 11:07 AM

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