Climate changes fears behind Cottage Point Inn rebuild

The business owners of a historic culinary institution on Sydney’s Northern Edge are at odds with the landlord over the potential redevelopment of the site.

Plans to bulldoze the well-known Cottage Point Inn and redevelop it into a two storey $5.4 million building, took current owners Shane and Ally Olesen by surprise.

The pair has run the venue for the past eight years, while it has traded for almost 50 years.

Shane Olesen said the future of his business was no unclear.

“This place is a pretty special spot and I get customers from all around the world and a lot of comments about how unique it is. We’ve put everything we’ve got into the venue,” he said.

“(The landlords) have spoken to me about it and given me assurances that the redevelopment won’t go ahead unless we’re ready but we don’t have those assurances in writing.”

The Cottage Point Inn has also played host to the likes of Dustin Hoffman, and Pippa Middleton and James Matthews who spent part of their honeymoon there.

Astron Group Pty Ltd has lodged the plans that state the development would address the “dilapidated” state of the venue.

It would also deal with fears of climate change, including rising sea levels.

The new building would be constructed at a higher level and feature an expanded restaurant, two homes next to the site, and a new seawall fronting on to Cowan Creek. There would also be a bar, dining room, a cellar, reception and back of house areas.

While the current restaurant accommodates 70 people, the new iteration would seat 126 people.

“The proposal offers a sympathetic design response to the character of the surrounding area (and) have been carefully designed in response to the existing and emerging environmental constraints of the site, in particular estuarine wave action and tidal inundation,” the plans state.

“The existing restaurant is relatively un-kept and requires significant restoration works.”

Astron Group Pty Ltd is yet to comment, with the proposal under assessment by Northern Beaches Council.

Irit Jackson - 25-10-22