New restaurant and kiosk to feature in renovated iconic northern beaches surf club
A prolific Sydney hospitality group is behind a proposed 300-patron licensed restaurant in a renovated southern Sydney surf club.
Plans for theiconic Cronulla surf club will not only feature the large dining room but would also see an outdoor terrace and ground floor kiosk built.
The Sutherland Local Planning Panel is now assessing the application. Notably, the Sutherland Shire Council owns the site for the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.
Under the proposal, the building would be transformed from a small canteen-style cafe into a full hospitality complex that faces North Cronulla Beach.
Initial plans saw eleven objections placed by residents over noise, property risk, anti-social behaviour, parking pressure and the suitability of opening a licensed venue next to a children’s playground.
However, the modified proposal emphasises the first floor will be a licensed restaurant that will not operate as a pub.
Of the 300 person capacity, 196 patrons would be inside and 104 outside on the terrace area.
The restaurant and kiosk would be run behind Feros Group, which is behind Highfield Caringbah hotel, The Prince at Kirrawee and Taren Point Hotel.
“Subject to the recommendation conditions relating to operation, hours, patron numbers, and the deletion of all outdoor seating associated with the kiosk, the application is recommended for approval,” a council report said.
“The plan does not allow a bar,” the plan states.
All alcohol would be consumed within the restaurant premises, which would operate from 7am until midnight, with licenced hours from 10am until midnight.
The outdoor terrace would close at 10pm to minimise noise.
“From a planning perspective, the proposed seating for 60 patrons would not be supported given the large area of the pedestrian thoroughfare of The Esplanade, that is blocked and restricted by the proposed seating and tables,” the council report said.
“The Esplanade is the most heavily utilised pedestrian recreation asset in the Sutherland Shire with high pedestrian and cycling volumes year-round.
“This area has a longstanding history of complaints related to congestion and allocation of outdoor dining uses.
“The intention of a kiosk is to provide takeaway food and beverage opportunities and the council will be undertaking upgrades to the adjoining Dunningham Park which will provide additional seating and picnic facilities that will be available for general community use.”
Work is expected to begin in July and finish in late 2023 to early 2024.
Jonathan Jackson, 2nd May 2023
