Sydney’s iconic Coogee Bay Hotel is set for a contemporary makeover following the approval of development plans by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.

The approval follows more than four years of design and planning, discussions with stakeholders, community consultation and mediation between the owners of the Coogee Bay Hotel and Randwick City Council.

The Panel granted a Deferred Commencement Consent. The Development Consent will become operational once there has been resolution of a noise management plan with Randwick City Council. In their determination the Panel considered the major changes made by the applicant to their original development application lodged in July 2021. These included an improvement of bulk and scale, a reduction in height, removal of the proposed supermarket and improvement of
urban form and amenity. It was also noted by the Panel that view loss was reduced by the amended plans.

Coogee Bay Hotel Managing Director Chris Cheung said: “We are happy to be finally moving forward and excited to deliver a renewed Coogee Bay Hotel that will reinvigorate the precinct.

“This significant 8500 square metre site is in the heart of Coogee, provides a gateway to the ocean front, and offers excellent access to services and public transport.

“As members of the community for the past 30 years, we understand the local environment and believe our plans will better integrate the hotel within the community and reinvigorate the entire site. The proposal will enhance the heritage elements of the hotel building, upgrade its accommodation offering, create a wider range of entertainment, dining options and public
meeting spaces, and create a more family friendly environment.

“Re-casting the Coogee Bay Hotel as a more family friendly place will improve social outcomes, add value to local business, boost the local economy and complement the character of the local area.”

The determination specified that the consent is not to operate until a Precinct Noise Masterplan is developed, agreed with Randwick City Council to effectively mitigate and manage noise associated with the development and to ensure an appropriate level of amenity for residents.

The approval includes the demolition of buildings, works to the Coogee Bay Hotel including refurbishment to provide for 18 hotel rooms, a new three storey building to the southern side of the beer garden with 13 new hotel rooms (resulting in a total of 31 hotel rooms) , construction of five/six storey shop top housing comprising 58 dwellings, 11 retail premises, internal laneway from Coogee Bay Road, basement parking for 158 cars, subdivision, landscaping and associated works.

Discussions between the owners and Randwick City Council on the redevelopment proposal began in 2019. The original Development Application was lodged in July 2021 and an 18-month mediation process with Randwick City Council in the Land and Environment Court has led to the grant of the Development Consent.