NSW · Coffs Coast (Mid North Coast) · Local council, made simple
City of Coffs Harbour
A regional coastal council on the NSW Mid North Coast — around 81,000 people across Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Toormina and surrounding towns, and the region's main service, retail and visitor centre. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water, libraries, parks, beaches, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.6%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyCoffs Harbour's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
Higher than NSW across the board — read the context
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Nikki Williams
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6648 4000
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~81,000 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from City of Coffs Harbour's public channels, in plain language.
- Development
Coffs Harbour bypass on track to open end of 2026
The 14 km Coffs Harbour bypass between the Englands Road and Korora interchanges, delivered by Transport for NSW, is on track to open to traffic at the end of 2026, with tunnelling, bridge and paving works progressing through 2026.
What this means for you: When it opens, through-traffic on the Pacific Highway will move around the city rather than through it — a change expected to affect travel times and the Coffs Harbour CBD. This is a NSW/Australian Government project, not a council project.
- Policy
Council adopts Delivery Program 2025–2029 and 2025/26 Operational Plan
The council adopted its Delivery Program 2025–2029 and Operational Plan and budget for 2025/26, setting its services, capital works and rates for the year within IPART's 4.6% rate peg.
What this means for you: This is the plan and budget that funds the council's roads, waste, water, parks and other services for 2025/26 and sets out its commitments for the four-year council term.
Source: City of Coffs Harbour — Delivery Program and Operational Plan
- Development
Jetty Foreshore Precinct planning proposal goes on public exhibition
A planning proposal to rezone and redevelop the Coffs Harbour jetty foreshore precinct — led by Property and Development NSW for the NSW Government — went on public exhibition from 19 May to 30 June 2025 and is being assessed.
What this means for you: If it proceeds, the waterfront precinct could see new housing, tourist accommodation, green space and hospitality. This is a NSW Government-led proposal; the council and community have made submissions on it.
Source: City of Coffs Harbour — Jetty Foreshore planning proposal
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