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Collapse Issue 401 - 05 Sep 2016Issue 401 - 05 Sep 2016
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Chamber opposes Bullion St carpark sale
First proposal submitted for Council land sale site
Buses stop for 24 hours
Broken Bay rec centre won't be sold, says Minister
Reserves campaigners attend council session
Work to start on former Tesrol site
Hotel sale surprises Patonga residents
Bridge named after Robert Payne
PCYC receives opera donation
Environment group plans biggest festival yet
'Sip and Say' gathering to discuss disability plan
Submission threshold 'affects small communities'
Comment on submission policy closes this week
Opportunity to comment on meeting frequency
Discounts for new appliances in no-interest loan scheme
Woy Woy Bay house open on Sustainable House Day
Trivia night for Mary Mac's
PCYC receives three awards
Four flats proposed for West St site
Tender awarded for Rogers Park work
Chemical 'cleanout' at Gosford
Council 'didn't tell me', says applicant
Seniors' housing given go ahead
Flag is 'reminder to live out democracy', says O'Neill
O'Neill to 'hold Wicks to account'
Information about peacock spiders
Fire brigade to work with students on hydrant poster
Bushfire preparations
New branding for registered club
ICAC finds against Chris Hartcher
Bushcare and dunecare groups active on the Peninsula
Driver charged with firearms offences
More martial arts
Music school moves
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Hand drying needed at Woy Woy oval
Hotel blight on beautiful part of the Coast
Residents don't want a Gold Coast-type environment
Regional plan largely meaningless
Texting on horseback
Colourful characters fondly remembered
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Fashion parade success
Woy Woy debut for duo
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Two schools listed as overcrowded
Students develop professional skills
Students play at Opera House concert hall
School holds multi-cultural expo
Ex-students attend 60th anniversary
Students excel for school
Fathers' Day breakfast
Grant for sporting uniforms
Playgroup looks for members
High distinction for Mitchell
School spelling bee
Planting to celebrate tree day
Author visits
School fields 40 athletes
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Woy Woy goes through to rugby union grand final
Lions Reserves make grand final
Pirates swim in great results
Wombats want members
Summer touch football starts
Peninsula players in singles final
Annual tournament at Everglades
Bowlers fight out minor singles title
Floorball at leisure centre

Hotel sale surprises Patonga residents

The Patonga Community Working Group has said residents were surprised by the decision to sell the Patonga Beach Hotel and Fish Shop just 24 months after the property was purchased by current owner, Mr Andrew Smith.

The iconic Patonga tourist attraction has been listed for sale with Ray White Hotels Australia and Manenti Quinlan and Associates, who are wrapping up a four week International Expression of Interest Campaign, concluding September 8.

In December last year, the owner submitted an application to Council proposing a $2.2 million redevelopment and expansion of the hotel, including the conversion of the existing first floor accommodation above the hotel into more bars and a bandstand, and creation of a purpose-built 150 seat reception centre above the fish shop.

Working Group chairman Mr Ross Trembath said a large number of the Patonga community were alarmed by the overdevelopment of the site, and expressed their concerns in more than 70 written objections to Council.

"This represents a high level of concern from a foreshore settlement of just over 200 dwellings," he added.

"In an article in The Peninsula News (August 22), Mr Smith stated that 'market conditions suggest it is an opportune time to release the improved asset and benefit from the return on investment.'

"In doing so the owner appears keen to disassociate community opposition to his development from his decision to sell.

"He insists the sale will not hinder the development and dismisses community opposition as a familiar part of the development process," Mr Trembath continued.

According to Mr Trembath, the Working Group's consultations with the Central Coast Council had been constructive and the community's concerns were being heard.

"We understand that the developer submitted a revised set of plans to Council in early August just prior to listing his property.

"Although our group has not yet seen the amendments, they are understood to have removed the new bar areas on the first floor of the hotel, and to have conceded a three metre setback from the adjoining rear property rather than extending hard up against the fence.

"Both of these amendments address issues raised in the community submissions, and the applicant's revised plans at the request of Council is a sign our submissions are well founded," Mr Trembath said.

"However, the contentious wedding reception centre above the fish shop has been retained, and a revised traffic/parking report is still yet to be submitted.

"The owner still has to realise that the site's 'B1 Neighbourhood Centre' zoning provisions also apply to the proposed second storey function centre," he added.

The marketing campaign for the sale of the hotel is being pitched to international or corporate owners, with potential buyers invited to see comparisons to iconic waterfront properties such as Bannisters at Mollymook and Halcyon House on Cabarita Beach.

Mr Trembath said that while there was no doubt Patonga was as beautiful as Mollymook or Cabarita that was where the similarities ended, with the two multi-storey hotels on those sites, both with their own award winning restaurants and between 20-30 accommodation suites being a developer's paradise.

"The Patonga site is a shade over 1540m and already developed to its full potential under the relevant planning provisions.

"We have no objections to the proposed internal renovations and a new kitchen at the ground floor level.

"However, it is the community's view, based on expert advice, that the hotel site has reached the limits of its development potential based on economic, social and environmental planning grounds and only has the potential for renovations rather than expansion.

"This is the scenario that any responsible owner faces and the community supports," Mr Trembath said.

In July, the community held a sold-out fundraiser to boost its fighting fund and Mr Trembath said the community knows that a potential change of owners will not necessarily mean an end to this or other development proposals.

"We are committed to maintaining the unique visual and residential quality of the village for residents and visitors alike.

"We hope the next owner shares that vision and is more realistic about the scope and scale of the business," Mr Trembath concluded.





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