Coffs Harbour Civic Centre | Yarrila Place

The Coffs Harbour Civic Centre, now officially known as Yarrila Place (from the Gumbaynggirr word meaning illuminate or brighten), is a striking new civic and cultural landmark on the NSW North Coast. Designed by acclaimed architects BVN and delivered by Lipman, Yarrila Place brings together council chambers, a state-of-the-art library, a museum, event spaces, and a vibrant public plaza — all under one spectacular roof. The building’s standout feature is its sculptural parametric timber canopy, a bold design inspired by the ocean waves and surrounding hills, setting a new architectural benchmark for regional Australia.

What truly sets Yarrila Place apart is its deep commitment to sustainability and community connection. Targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating, it integrates sustainable systems, high-performance materials, and flexible spaces that will serve the community for generations. Importantly, the project was shaped through meaningful collaboration with the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, embedding local Indigenous culture and stories into the heart of the design. As building certifiers, we were proud to help deliver a project that not only met the highest standards of safety and compliance, but also raised the bar for public architecture in regional Australia.

Group DLA were engaged as the appointed Accredited Certifier / Principal Certifying Authority (PCA), responsible for issue of Construction and Occupation Certificates over a staged program.