FAQs
- MyCoffs Community Strategic Plan, which includes a key outcome to provide active transport infrastructure for its community through footpaths, cycle ways, connections and links.
- Coffs Harbour Public Realm Strategy, which has a vision to create a connected network of public open space that is clean, green and safe.
- The Coffs Harbour Regional City Action Plan 2036, which aims to cultivate a healthier city through green and blue open spaces.
- The Coffs Harbour Movement and Place Strategy, which focuses on improving walking and cycling infrastructure and enhancing the city's green spaces.
The majority of the path will follow parkland, bush reserves, and creek lines, offering a direct and gently graded route to the City Centre.
In some areas, where necessary, the path will include on-road cycleways in low-traffic areas.
The path will generally be 2.5 to 3.0 meters wide where the terrain allows, with lighting and wayfinding signage in appropriate areas.
Provide safe, direct routes for walking and cycling between West Coffs and the City Centre, reducing reliance on cars.
Improve connectivity within West Coffs, including connections to schools, parks, and recreation areas.
Offer more opportunities for active transport and convenient access to outdoor activities, healthy commuting, and sustainable travel.
What is the West Coffs Shared Path?
The West Coffs Shared Path is a new walking and cycling network designed to connect West Coffs with the Coffs Harbour City Centre. It will link 12,000 residents to key destinations, such as parks, schools, the City Centre and the Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway, making it easier to travel safely and sustainably on foot, by bike, mobility scooter, etc.
What is the purpose of this project?
This project aims to create a continuous, relatively flat and accessible walking and cycling network that enhances active transport options for the community. The path will provide a safer, mostly off-road route to navigate through West Coffs, offering scenic connections to parks, schools, and recreational areas. It will also link with the Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway, providing an attractive route for commuting and leisure activities.
Why is the City doing this - how does this project fit into the City’s broader planning?
The West Coffs Shared Path aligns with multiple key strategies, including:
How will the path be designed?
The West Coffs Shared Path will largely feature off-road paths with some on-road sections.
The design also includes pedestrian/cycle bridges over creeks, safe road crossings and a highway underpass near the city centre.
How will this project benefit the community?
This shared path will:
Will the proposed bridges affect flood levels?
No, the proposed bridges will not increase flood levels. Detailed flood modelling, including the Coffs Creek flood model, has been carried out to assess the impact of a 1-in-100-year flood event, accounting for potential blockages at the proposed pedestrian and cycleway bridges. The design has been adjusted to ensure that flood levels on any private properties will not be affected.
Have environmental impacts been considered?
Yes, environmental factors have been thoroughly assessed, including considerations of cultural heritage, biodiversity, noise, and visual impact. The route primarily follows grassed reserves adjacent to bushland, minimising significant environmental effects. A more detailed environmental impact assessment will be conducted during the detailed design phase, once the concept route is finalised.
How will the route cross the highway at the City Centre end?
The route will cross the highway via an underpass, with necessary modifications to the highway bridge over Coffs Creek near Coffs Street. This will include lighting and raising the path to prevent flooding during light rainfall events, similar to the existing Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway underpass at Hogbin Drive.
How will the route ensure safe crossings of roads?
To ensure safe road crossings, such as crossings of West High Street and Gundagai Street, appropriate safety features like refuge islands or raised zebra crossings will be implemented based on the specific location.
What is the timeline for this project?
The design of the West Coffs Shared Path is currently underway. We have completed the concept design and are now seeking your feedback on it. After reviewing community input, we will move forward with the detailed design, which is expected to be completed by October 2025. The final design will guide future funding applications and phased delivery of the project.