Seven months after opening a multi-million dollar resort in place of Austinmer’s Headlands Hotel, developers have lodged a new proposal to expand the vast on-site function centre and tavern.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to plans with Wollongong City Council, Headlands owner – Central Coast developer the Stevens Group – hopes to increase the undercover footprint of the controversial cliff-side building by installing a series of solid and louvered roof systems over the northern and eastern terraced areas.
The developers also hope to expand the ground floor level of the tavern to add an extra kitchen, and build an extra food preparation area in the basement.
Documents on display with the council say these alternations have been identified as necessary after a review of Headlands’ “trade and occupational characteristics” in the several months since it opened.
Read more: New look for controversial Bulli KFC plan
They noted that “the appearance of the building will be slightly altered” due to the construction works, but said they did not believe this would “significantly detract from the environmental characteristics of the approved tourist facility”.
They also said the new works would “modernise” the building, and result in better all-weather usability for outdoor areas.
The new Brickyard Point complex opened to the public in December last year, overcoming decades of failed development and community opposition.
The site was sold to Stevens Group in 2013, after the pub owners went into receivership and closed the much-loved venue in June 2011.
In 2014, the group succeeded where numerous others had failed, securing approval build a resort based on a 2004 development application which was allowed to proceed due to a legal technicality.