Coffs Harbour: Who we are and want to be

A special report which captures the changing face of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area (LGA) has identified milestones for the community and ongoing ambitions. 

The State of our City Report is compiled at the end of every Council term and provides a snapshot for a new Council to reflect on the immediate past. 

The report objectively tracks progress against the MyCoffs Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which is a roadmap of aspirations across every aspect of local life. It covers actions taken by the City and relevant measures taken by State and Federal governments and their agencies. 

“It’s important to note that progress on many of the goals in the CSP can be achieved only through teamwork – so that might involve Council, business, other levels of government, non-government organisations and the wider community,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said. 

“The benefits of success are shared by all so it’s in everyone’s interests to work together.” 

The report (2021-24) notes some of the core statistics of the LGA. 

These include: 

• Total population was 80,489 (2023) 

• The single biggest cohort is those aged 60 to 74 (19.9 per cent). Other large groups by age are 45 to 59 (18.9 per cent) and under 15s (17.7 per cent). 

• 6.9 per cent of the population live with disability. 

• Our biggest employment sector by industry is Health Care and Social Assistance (20.4 per cent) followed by Construction (12.5 per cent) and Retail Trade (12.4 per cent). 

The State of our City Report also tracks some of the major projects to be completed under the term of the previous Council: Yarrila Place, Wiigulga Sports Complex, Bobo Bridge renewal, Moonee Forest cycleway, Sportz Central upgrade, North Coast Regional Botanic Garden glasshouse and Sandy Beach Community Hub and Youth Space. 

“The Community Strategic Plan covers the various visions of the Coffs Harbour community,” City of Coffs Harbour Acting General Manager Andrew Beswick said. 

“The first plan was made in 2009 and it has been regularly refreshed since then and will in fact be reviewed again in this current financial year to coincide with the new Council.” 

While the popularity of the new Harry Bailey Memorial Library and Yarrila Arts and Museum has been widely reported, the Wiigulga Sports Centre at Woolgoolga is also starting to make waves. 

When it opened in 2022-23, it staged 640 events and recorded more than 14,000 visitors. In the most recent financial year, it held more than 1400 events and foot traffic had grown to 33,000 conservatively (based on numbers which did not capture casual visits). 

The report also touches on some community wellbeing initiatives, including free library service workshops to help seniors become more confident in the online world through to road safety awareness. 

At its meeting on 14 November, Council unanimously endorsed the report which can be viewed in full here.