Council is shouting local residents a FREE coffee in exchange for feedback on our public open spaces and how people use them. Find out how to get your caffeine fix for free and how to get your views heard as part of this important project.
"We're currently developing a Public Realm Strategy for the whole Coffs Harbour local government area," said Sharon Smith, Council's Section Leader Local Planning.
"What we mean by public realm is all public land that the community uses all the time. We're talking about parks, sports fields, creeks, reserves, walking tracks and paths, streets and any public space that people either use for recreation, exercise or to get from A to B.
"The aim of the Strategy is to create a connected network of open spaces and streets throughout the whole council area to provide better access and connections to our environments and to strengthen our ties to nature."
To help Council get a clear understanding of how the community moves around and uses our public places, we are asking people to complete a quick survey and/or add a pin to highlight their favourite places on an interactive map.
The surveys and map can be accessed online or people can come along to one of the cafes/coffee carts participating in our Travelling Conversations on the date and time listed to claim a free coffee in exchange for doing the survey there and then.
Free coffees will be available on:
- 02 July 2021 – Coastal Blend Coffee at Moonee Beach Reserve from 7am to 12pm midday.
- 19 July 2021 – Centro Toormina (out the front near Magic Noodle) from 10am to 1pm
- 23 July 2021 – Idle In Café at Nana Glen from 9am to 12pm midday.
- 29 August 2021 – Harbourside Markets at the Jetty Foreshores from 9am to 2pm.
All current COVID rules will apply at the venues.
As well as a free coffee, people will also be able to chat to Council's Planning and Urban Design Team to share their experiences on how they move around and use our public places.
"We're not starting entirely from scratch with the Strategy, we'll also be incorporating best practice open space planning and the information we've already captured from residents during previous consultations on what people value about their environments," added Ms Smith.
More information on the Public Realm Strategy - as well as the survey and interactive map - can be found on Council's Have Your Say website.
