Voluntary planning agreements

A Voluntary planning agreement (VPA) is negotiated between a planning authority (like the City of Coffs Harbour) and a developer. VPAs are legal agreements made in connection with a planning proposal (PP) or development application (DA).

The public benefits delivered under VPA's can provide contributions for public purposes which can extend beyond the scope of Section 7.11 or 7.12 contribution plans. These benefits can include the dedication of land free of cost to the City, monetary contributions, public infrastructure, community facilities, affordable housing, another community benefit or any combination of these.

These agreements are made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning Assessment Regulation 2021.

This page includes the City's:

 

How VPA's are managed at the City of Coffs Harbour

Step 1.Notice of Intention

  1. Review the City's VPA-Information-Requirements-Factsheet.pdf(PDF, 571KB).
  2. Complete and submit the City's Notice of Intention - Voluntary Planning Agreement online form prior to lodging a DA or PP.
  3. The City will notify you of the decision regarding the preliminary review of the Notice of Intention:
    • If the City is supportive of the offer the VPA will progress to negotiations.
    • If the City does not support the offer you may review and resubmit an offer based on the feedback provided.

Step 2.Negotiations 

  1. VPA negotiation fees will need to be paid upfront using the City's - Voluntary Planning Agreement online form.
  2. the City's VPA Panel will negotiate the details of the VPA. The negotiations will include review by the City's legal team.
  3. Once terms have been agreed and a letter of offer, VPA and explanatory note will be drafted.
  4. The VPA will progress to submission with the relevant application.

Step 3.Letter of Offer

  1. The relevant application will be submitted through the NSW Planning Portal which will include the negotiated draft VPA and explanatory note.
  2. The VPA will be exhibited in conjunction with the relevant application.
  3. At the close of the exhibition negotiations may be required to the draft VPA. Any legal reviews required may incur additional legal costs.

Step 4.Council Report

  1. The VPA and application will be reported to Council for consideration and resolution.

Step 5.Execution

  1. VPA is registered on the land title and uploaded to the City's VPA register. 
  2. Obligations under the VPA commence. 
  3. Monitoring and reporting to be completed as required.
  4. At completion of the obligations, if required maintenance and defects liability period commences.

 

Draft VPA's on public exhibition

Draft VPA 01/26 - Opal Cove, Korora

The City is exhibiting a draft VPA that will apply to Lot 12, DP 270062 and Lot 30 DP 1272544, Opal Cove Boulevard, Korora. 

The draft VPA is associated to Development Application No. 0581/26, which proposes a three-lot community title subdivision. 

The purpose of the VPA is to facilitate the delivery of a public footpath within the Pine Brush Creek Public Reserve. This includes the dedication of a small portion of land to ensure the entire footpath is located on public land. The proposed path will connect the existing footpath network along James Small Drive to the Pine Brush Creek footbridge and the adjoining reserve pathway network.

The draft VPA and explanatory note are on public exhibition from Tuesday 28 April 2026 to Monday 25 May 2026.

Draft-01-26VPA-Opal-Cove-Korora-Public-Exhibition.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

 

 

 

Draft amended VPA 04/24 - Newmans Road Woolgoolga

The City is publicly exhibiting a draft amended Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the City of Coffs Harbour and INA Plantations Development Pty Ltd. The VPA applies to Lot 11 DP 830936, Newmans Road, Woolgoolga.

The amended VPA relates to Development Application No. 0254/24, which has been approved for a manufactured homes estate and associated infrastructure. Works on the site have commenced.

The purpose of the original VPA, executed on 24 November 2024, is to facilitate the delivery of key local infrastructure, including:

  • the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Solitary Islands Way and Newmans Road, Woolgoolga; and
  • the partial upgrade of Newmans Road, Woolgoolga.

These infrastructure works are identified in the Woolgoolga North West and Woolgoolga West Contributions Plan.

The draft amended VPA is required because the original cost estimates were based on concept designs. Subsequent detailed design of the roundabout has identified the need for additional works, resulting in an increase in the total cost of the project.

Under the draft amended VPA, the total cost of works is revised to $6,497,576, with the City’s contribution increasing from $1,932,820 to $3,966,096.

The draft VPA and explanatory note are on public exhibition from Tuesday 28 April to Monday 25 May 2026.

Draft-Amended-04-24VPA-Newmans-Road-Woolgoolga-Public-Exhibition.pdf(PDF, 3MB)

Draft VPA - Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour

The City is exhibiting a draft VPA between the City of Coffs Harbour and Property and Developments that will apply to Lot 10 in DP 1284099 and Lot 11 in DP 843870, Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour. 

The draft VPA is associated with a planning proposal lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to rezone the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct to amend the Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2013 to facilitate approximately 250 homes and 200 tourism accommodation rooms as well as public open space and commercial floor space. 

The objective, nature and effect of the draft VPA is to provide a monetary contribution of approximately $1.9m towards LGA wide community infrastructure, a monetary contribution of $750,000 towards the intersection upgrade of Marina Parade, Orlando St and Harbour Drive intersection identified in the Coffs Jetty Strip Structure Plan and the design and construction of $8.2m of public open space works.

The draft VPA and explanatory note are on public exhibition from Tuesday 28 April to Monday 25 May 2026. 

Draft-VPA-Jordan-Esplanade-Coffs-Harbour-Public-Exhibition.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

 

VPA register

Lot 13 DP 591220 and Lot 6 DP 714455 - Cook Drive Coffs Harbour

Applicant: James and Margaret Auld

Rezoning of a portion of the land of land at Lot 13 DP 591220 from E2 (Environment Conservation) to B5 (Business Development). The planning agreement is deliver a public benefit by enhancing the natural environment by implementing a Vegetation Management Plan for Lot 13 DP 591220 and Lot 6 DP 714455. The Developer is required to provide yearly reports to the City throughout the 5 year follow-up period regarding the implementation of the Vegetation Management Plan.

Cook Drive Planning Agreement(PDF, 5MB)

Lot 1 DP 777555 - 1 Hamilton Drive, Boambee East

Applicant: J.R. Tait (MI Organics)

Rezoning a portion of land at Lot 1 DP 777555 and an addition to Schedule 1 (additional permitted uses) of LEP 2013 to provide planning controls to better reflect the current use of the land as a landscaping material supplies business, and to address environmental constraints. The planning agreement is to deliver a public benefit by enhancing the natural environment by implementing a Vegetation Management Plan for Lot 1 DP 777555. The Developer is required to provide periodic reports to the City on the implementation of the Vegetation Management Plan.

Hamilton Drive Planning Agreement(PDF, 1MB)

01/23VPA - Lot 51 DP 1057416, Ocean Parade Coffs Harbour

Applicant: Globuild Pty Ltd

Parties: City of Coffs Harbour, Globuild Pty Ltd, Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust

The development is for the subdivision of lot 51 CP 10576416, Ocean Parade into two lots and the erection of two 13 storey residential apartment buildings on each of the two lots. 

The VPA requires the developer to pay a monetary contribution of $200,000 for the purpose of Offsite Environmental Works. The City will provide the funds to the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust for the purpose of carrying out the Offsite Environmental Works at Macaulays Headland. Any remaining funds will be used towards planning studies in the Park Beach Area. 

VPA 01/23 - planning agreement(PDF, 1MB)

VPA 01/23 - explanatory note(PDF, 190KB)  

02/24VPA - Solitary Island Way, Moonee Beach

Applicant: McEvoy (Moonee) SF PTY LTD

Parties: City of Coffs Harbour, McEvoy (Moonee) SF PTY LTD

The development is for a staged subdivision to create 60 residential lots and 1 lot for a communications tower. The development includes the associated roads, infrastructure items and earthworks. 

The VPA requires the developer to design, gain approval and undertake the construction of the mains water and sewer network for West Moonee. The developer will receive an offset for water and sewer contributions levied under section 64 of the Local Government Act 1993.

02/24VPA - planning agreement(PDF, 3MB)

02/24VPA - explanatory note(PDF, 1MB)

 

04/24VPA - Newmans Road, Woolgoolga

Applicant: INA Plantations Development Pty Ltd

Parties: Coffs Harbour City Council, INA Plantations Development Pty Ltd (Developer), INA Operations Pty LTD (Landowner)

The development is for an over 55's manufactured housing estate including 180 dwelling sites, 10 caravan parking spots, clubhouse and community areas. The development includes the associated civil works to support the development.

The VPA requires the developer to carry out all of the works required to deliver a part upgrade of Newmans Road and the Newmans Road Intersection upgrade identified in the Woolgoolga North West and Woolgoolga West Contributions Plan 2023. 

04/24VPA - planning agreement(PDF, 2MB)

04/24VPA - explanatory note(PDF, 170KB)

03/24VPA - Walter Morris Close

Applicant: Pathfinders Ltd

Parties: Pathfinders Ltd & Coffs Harbour City Council

The development is for the construction of Housing for Seniors and People with a Disability (7 units) and the demolition of existing structures.

The VPA requires the developer to design and construct a 1.5m wide footpath in the Park Beach Road reserve extending from the Walter Morris cul-de-sac to the existing footpath on the southern side of Park Beach Road. 

VPA 03/24- planning agreement(PDF, 431KB)

VPA 03/ 24VPA - explanatory note(PDF, 962KB)

 

 

 

 

 

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