Coffs Harbour Entertainment Venue

• Project stageSite analysis completed 2022

The need for an additional indoor entertainment and performing arts venue in the City of Coffs Harbour is well known. Council has considered different proposals and plans for various types of venues in several locations over the years. The City Centre Masterplan 2031 identifies the City Centre area for entertainment and performing arts infrastructure.

Project scope

In late 2021, Council adopted the Coffs Habour Entertainment Venue Scoping Study – Functional Brief.

This specified a 700 seat indoor venue with a minimum footprint of 2,500 square metres. It would allow for a flexible performance space to accommodate a variety of performance configurations, accompanying support spaces and provide reasonable economic returns.

The Functional Brief was then used to progress work on the Site Analysis.

Funds

Current cost estimates for a Coffs Harbour Entertainment Venue (CHEV) are:

• Capital cost of $70m (based on 2019 figures), including parking but excluding escalation and contingency funds;
• Operating cost, including depreciation, of $2.5m a year (based on 2022 figures).

Council at it's 26 September 2022 Meeting resolved to:

• Note the Coffs Harbour Entertainment Venue Scoping Study – Site Analysis.
• Note that given the focus on financial sustainability, the Coffs Harbour Entertainment Venue project will not be further advanced until Council’s Long Term Financial Plan (General Fund) is in surplus, currently anticipated in the 2027/28 year.
• Defer the return of 2 Castle Street for sale pending an analysis of alternate options.

For more details about this project visit our Have Your Say Coffs Harbour website.

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