Council History
Coffs Harbour Coat of Arms
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The Coffs Harbour local government area is a diverse one and our coat of arms reflects this. The Coat of Arms was approved by the Kings of Arms in London in 1966. It depicts the four major industries of the time -
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There are two seagulls perched at the top to indicate that Coffs Harbour is by the sea.
Between the seagulls is an anchor indicating the significance of the harbour and of the local fishing and sea export trade.
The shield displays a golden background or field, designed to allude to wealth derived from Coffs Harbour's various industries.
The two cedar trees in the upper half of the shield represent the forests and the timber industry.
The oxen further symbolise the early history of industry and commerce of the district, and the heavy haulage of timber from the local government area's western districts to the sea.
Between the trees there is a gold miner's pick - a symbol of the early gold mining days, when Coramba was the district's major township.
A banana sapling is depicted on the left and is balanced by the sugar cane plant on the right.
At the bottom of the shield is a golden ship, the centre of which has furled sails to emphasise safe anchorage in our harbour.
Above the shield there is a helmet (of the appropriate style for civic authorities) adorned in accordance with heraldic law with wreath and mantling.
The whole achievement rests in traditional fashion upon a scroll with the motto "progress and prosper" written across its length, The motto was selected contrary to advice from the London College of Arms who had suggested "Advance and Prosper" or "Forward to Prosperity" as appropriate mottos.
Coffs Harbour was originally part of the Dorrigo Shire Council.
The Dorrigo Shire Council was formed at the end of 1906, with headquarters at Coramba. At that time the shire extended from Dorrigo in the west to Coffs Harbour in the east and northward to the Clarence River.
By 1947 Coffs was an untidy sprawling centre in the huge Dorrigo Shire.
- Coffs Harbour was represented by only one Councillor in a Council of six.
- Coffs only had six miles of formed streets, onto which stock frequently strayed.
- Packs of stray dogs were a problem.
- Treeless environment (ringbarked or felled.)
- Lack of parks and playgrounds.
Coffs Harbour forms its own Council
A battle for shire status for Coffs Harbour waged for many years until the name of the new shire "Coffs Harbour" was proclaimed by gazettal on 30 November 1956 and the Council acquired a house in High Street, Coffs Harbour for its chamber.
In 1962 the council chamber was moved to the newly constructed building in Vernon Street. In December 1984 it was again moved to where the administration building is currently located on the corner of Coff and Castle streets.
The new "coastal" shire took in Pine Creek in the south to Arrawarra in the north and westward to Ulong and Lowanna. The greater part of the Dorrigo Plateau was transferred to Bellingen Shire.
Coffs Harbour becomes a City
In 1987 Coffs Harbour was proclaimed a city.
