New plans for revamp of historic hotel revealed

The public can now have their say on a proposed development that would reinvigorate a “landmark” pub that dates back to the 1880s.

A public notification period is now underway for the heritage-listed hotel after a development application was submitted to Noosa Council last year.

The refurbishment would see the Royal Mail Hotel at Tewantin transformed with a new beer garden and outdoor dining area.

The hotel, on the corner of Poinciana Avenue and Diyan Street, is listed on Noosa’s Local Heritage Register.

Significant changes to the plans have now been released as part of the notification period after the council raised concerns over the original proposal.

The application, lodged by Urbis on behalf of Australian Venue Co, initially sought for an extension to the hotel, to realign the boundary and obtain a permit for demolition works in the heritage overlay.

It also proposed the relocation of an existing Liquorland store to the north-western section of the 7348sqm site.

However, the new plans outlined the site would no longer include a bottle shop, which would allow for additional car parking spaces.

In a series of information request responses issued last month, documentation addressed the concerns raised by council, particularly due to the heritage overlay.

“A series of heritage issues was identified in the information request for the scheme to address, among other issues related to town planning and associated disciplines,” the response stated.

“(The applicant) has worked with its architects and other consultants over the many months since.

“The scheme has been revised in response to these heritage concerns and indeed the other concerns.”

Another issue raised pertained to the number of parking spaces, resulting in a council recommendation to reduce the scale of the development.

The original plans only allowed for 58 spaces, which was a shortfall of 183 car parks required under the Noosa Plan.

Documentation from Urbis revealed the new plans would increase the amount of parking spaces to 80 due to the omittance of the bottle shop.

“The updated plans … indicate significant reductions in the site yields,” it stated.

“In particular, the site will no longer include a commercial bottle shop.

“Instead, the site will provide additional parking spaces, updated interiors of the Royal Mail Hotel, and an outdoor beer garden located to the north of the site.”

In a statement to Sunshine Coast News, Royal Mail Hotel venue manager Peter McCabe said the plan would retain the pub’s much-loved “heritage charm”.

“We’re proposing a few exciting changes to the Royal Mail, to reinvigorate the pub for the local community,” he said.

“Our plans include adding a family-friendly beer garden with a new kids’ play area and refreshing the interiors to create warm and inviting bar and dining areas.

“The new-look Royal Mail will retain the pub’s heritage charm while offering contemporary comfort for Tewantin locals.

“(It will become) a go-to spot for catching up with family and friends, while also creating a destination for residents and visitors in the wider Noosa area.”

He said an information night on Wednesday, May 22, from 6pm to 7pm at the Royal Mail Hotel would provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about the proposal.

The notification period will run until May 31. Residents can have their say here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.