Construction has officially started on a new mangrove boardwalk at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, to replace an aging structure that, according to the Friends’ 2024 annual report, has served the community since the 1980s. The project, announced on 4 February 2026, aims to provide a safer and more durable path for visitors — the Friends’ electronic counter recorded more than 120,000 visits per year in late 2023.
The new North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Mangrove Walk is being built with high‑durability, sustainable materials designed to withstand the saline conditions of Coffs Creek. Contractors will use low‑impact piling and other specialized methods to avoid damage to the mangroves’ sensitive root structures (pneumatophores). The mangrove area is dominated by Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) and River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum).
Funding for the project was secured through the City of Coffs Harbour as part of its 2025–26 capital works program and related budget allocations. Mayor Nikki Williams has previously described the garden as “a jewel” in the city’s crown; the council’s 2025–26 capital program includes allocations for community infrastructure projects such as this boardwalk, which project proponents say will improve access for local families and school groups.
The Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden — described in some recent materials as the ‘Nambucca‑Coffs’ regional hub — have advocated for the boardwalk replacement for several years and are now seeking volunteers to help with long‑term environmental monitoring. The Friends and project partners say the finished boardwalk will serve as an outdoor classroom where students can safely study the local coastal environment.
(For background: project planning and environmental approvals were discussed in the Friends’ 2024 Annual Report; further project details are posted on the Botanic Garden’s Mangrove Boardwalks page and the City’s 2025–26 Operational Plan.)
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