FAQs

The design guide is a long-term vision and design framework developed to guide the future transformation of the former Pacific Highway following completion of the Coffs Harbour Bypass. It includes design principles, streetscape guidelines for the Full Planning Area (Englands Road Interchange to Korora Interchange) and concept design for the Stage 1 Planning Area (Combine/Albany Street intersection to Coff Street) to help shape future improvements to public spaces, walking and cycling connections, landscaping and the overall character of the corridor.

The design guide was informed by two collaborative design workshops facilitated by the City of Coffs Harbour. The first workshop brought together City staff and Transport for NSW staff to identify opportunities, constraints and design considerations for the future of the former Pacific Highway road corridor following the completion of the Coffs Harbour Bypass. 

The second workshop involved members of the City’s Highway Bypass Integration Committee, City Centre Masterplan Committee, Destination Coffs Coast Committee, State and Federal Government representatives, and other stakeholders. Participants worked together to explore ideas, discuss priorities and help shape the vision and design directions for the bypassed road corridor. 

The outcomes of these workshops informed the design guide (including the streetscape design guidelines and detailed concept plan) that are now being exhibited for community feedback. 

The completion of the Coffs Harbour Bypass creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the former Pacific Highway as a more people-focused city spine. The design guide establishes a shared vision to support local businesses, improve public spaces, enhance connections and strengthen the identity of Coffs Harbour as a regional city.

The Coffs Harbour Post Bypass Renewal Action Plan endorsed by Council at its meeting of 27 November 2025, identifies the preparation of streetscape design guidelines and detailed concept design as priority actions to guide the transformation of the former Pacific Highway once the Coffs Harbour Bypass opens.  

The Coffs Harbour Movement and Place Strategy endorsed by Council at its meeting of 28 September 2023, includes an action to develop a City Spine Renewal Strategy to maximise opportunities from the Coffs Harbour Bypass, such as reallocating road space to public spaces; creating a sense of arrival and place through streetscaping; greening the corridor; integrating public transport, pedestrian and cycling options; and delivering last mile freight connectivity (moving goods locally to businesses) to support the growth of the City Centre.

No. The City is seeking community feedback on the vision, priorities and design directions contained in the design guide. Community feedback will help refine the guide and identify which projects and initiatives are most important to the community. Final decisions regarding future projects within the guide will be subject to further design, funding and approvals.

The City would like to understand: 

• whether the community supports the overall vision for the bypassed section of the former Pacific Highway,  
• what types of improvements should be prioritised, 
• the importance of walking, bike riding and accessibility improvements, 
• preference for tree species in the proposed centre median, 
• how the corridor should reflect local culture, heritage and identity, and 
• community views on gateway treatments and future public space planning opportunities. 

No. The former Pacific Highway corridor will remain under the ownership, management and control of Transport for NSW. The design guide provides a vision and framework for future improvements within the corridor but does not change road ownership or management arrangements.

Transport for NSW will continue to be the road manager for the corridor. Any future changes or upgrades within the road corridor will require Transport for NSW approval and will need to meet relevant NSW government requirements and standards.

The detailed concept design for the Stage 1 Planning Area (Combine Street/Albany Street intersection and Coff Street) has been tested through detailed traffic modelling commissioned by Transport for NSW. The modelling looked at how the proposed changes to the former Pacific Highway corridor would perform following the opening of the Coffs Harbour Bypass, including lower speed limits, improved pedestrian crossings, changes to turning lanes and streetscape improvements. 

The modelling found that the proposed design can be accommodated while maintaining an efficient and functional road network. While some increases in travel times are expected as vehicle speeds are reduced, the overall impacts are generally minor, as traffic is redistributed across the wider network. 

The traffic modelling provides confidence that the design changes can achieve a better balance between movement and place outcomes. 

Parking surveys undertaken in November 2023 found that on-street parking within the road corridor is significantly underutilised (in some instances utilisation is less than 50%) in part because many spaces are not formally line marked. The detailed concept design for the Stage 1 Planning Area (Combine/ Albany Street intersection and Coff Street) identifies that approximately 100 existing parking spaces that could be accommodated within the planning area if they were formally line marked. The detailed concept design retains approximately 86 of these spaces and removes around 14 spaces to accommodate wider footpaths, landscaping, street trees, pedestrian improvements, and other public space improvements. Given that the existing parking spaces are currently unmarked and not fully utilised, this this would not result in a noticeable loss of available parking. Importantly, formal line marking of the remaining parking spaces would create a more efficient and organised parking layout, making it easier for drivers to identify available parking and improving the overall use of parking within this section of the road corridor. Similar opportunities exist throughout the Full Planning Area (Englands Road to Korora Hill Interchange) where line marking could help maximise the efficiency of existing parking supply without the need to create additional parking supply.

No timeline for implementation has been confirmed. The design guide is intended to inform future planning, funding and investment decisions. Improvements are expected to be delivered progressively over time as funding opportunities arise.  While the City of Coffs Harbour 2025-2029 Delivery Plan and 2026/27 Operational Plan includes funds for detail design of the Stage 1 Planning Area (Combine/Albany Street intersection to Coffs Street), at this stage, no funding has been identified for implementation works. 

Yes. Some projects identified in the design guide may require further design and additional community consultation before implementation. This may include projects such as gateway features, public art, urban parks and other place planning opportunities.

The vision for the bypassed section of the former Pacific Highway is to create a more attractive, accessible and connected environment that encourages people to spend time in the Coffs Harbour City Centre, support local businesses and contribute to a vibrant regional city. The City is also continuing to support local businesses through a Business Bypass Readiness Program, providing practical training, mentoring and networking opportunities to help businesses prepare for and benefit from the opportunities created by the Coffs Harbour Bypass. 

The design guide identifies opportunities to improve pedestrian amenity, safer crossings, cycling infrastructure and active transport connections throughout the city spine to better support local travel choices and improve accessibility.

The design guide acknowledges Gumbaynggirr Country and seeks to celebrate Aboriginal culture through landscape design, interpretation, public art and storytelling.

The design guide acknowledges the important role that the former Pacific Highway played in the development of Coffs Harbour overtime and identifies opportunities to celebrate the city's history through urban design, interpretation, public art and heritage recognition.

The City Centre median is a challenging planting environment. Trees need to be suitable for a narrow median, provide shade and amenity, create a strong visual presence, maintain sight lines, and perform well alongside future development. They must also be available from specialist nurseries as advanced stock and be practical for the City to maintain over their lifetime. The three shortlisted species (Leopard Tree, Brushbox, and Tallowwood) have been selected because they balance these requirements while supporting the vision for a greener and more attractive City Centre. The design guide seeks community feedback on three suitable tree species for the City Centre median.

Feedback received during public consultation on the design guide will help the City to identify priorities, refine design principles and inform future advocacy and collaboration with Transport for NSW regarding the renewal of the city spine

The detailed concept design for the Stage 1 Planning Area (Combine/ Albany Street intersection and Coff Street) proposes removing the dedicated left turn slip lane at the Coff Street intersection to help create a better balance between transport movement and public space. Removing the slip lane creates additional space for wider footpaths, landscaping, public spaces, active transport infrastructure and other improvements that contribute to a more attractive and connected city centre. The additional space also allows for a safer and more direct connection of the proposed separated bicycle path between the City Centre and Park Beach by reducing potential conflict points between bike riders and vehicles. Importantly, the proposed change has been tested through detailed traffic modelling commissioned by Transport for NSW. The modelling found that the intersection would continue to operate within acceptable performance levels. While there may be some minor delays at certain times, the overall impacts are expected to be small and some traffic movements may improve during parts of the day.