Huge rise in aged population and 13,000 more homes: The changing face of Coffs Harbour in 2040

The proportion of the population aged over 60 in Coffs Harbour is expected to grow by 67 per cent in the next 20 years, while the number of 25 to 34-year-olds will only rise by 13 per cent. Key points: The population of people over 60 in Coffs Harbour is forecast rise by 67 per cent by 2040 Coffs Harbour City Council is planning how to deal with the ageing population, inlcuding the need for more high-density housing Population growth will be highest in the city, Jetty and Park Beach areas The gaping divide is something the Coffs Harbour City Council has seized on as it grapples with how the face of the city will change by 2040. "Our population is simply getting older across Australia and particularly here on the North Coast, so we have other things in place that we're trying to make sure that we balance the bell curve," Coffs Harbour City Council Section Leader, Local Planning Sharon Smith said. Housing an older population The Coffs Harbour City Council has released a draft local growth-management strategy, which looks at ways to address the expected population growth of 22,000 people in the city in the coming two decades. An older population has different housing needs, which the strategy suggested can be addressed with a 40 per cent increase in higher-density housing on infill sites, largely around the city centre, Jetty and Park Beach.