Kooyong Hotel upgrade plans: Australian Venue Co unveils ambitious plans

The owner of North Mackay’s popular Kooyong Hotel has applied to demolish the existsing pub to make way for a major overhaul. Check out the plans for what will be built in its place.

An iconic Mackay pub is set to undergo a total overhaul with plans submitted to demolish the existing watering hole to make way for a bold new venue.

Australian Venue Co has applied for development approval to overhaul the Kooyong Hotel on Harbour Rd in North Mackay, signalling a major investment in the venue and city.

It is the same company behind the Boomerang Hotel’s $2 million renovation, expected to open in early 2022.

In its application to Mackay Regional Council, the company plans to redevelop and refurbish the site including demolishing the existing hotel to rebuild a similar venue with a slightly larger floor area.

The plans would remove three short-term accommodation rooms to increase the hotel footprint to 350sq m, but retain 11 existing rooms that would be refurbished.

The existing bottle shop would also remain, while plans would reduce the existing driveway that fronts Harbour Rd.

“The Kooyong Hotel has established itself as a popular drinking location for residents in the North Mackay region,” documents state.

“The pub is located along Harbour Road which provides direct access to the Mackay Harbour area which consists of the port and other heavy industrial land uses.

“Its location means that the Kooyong Hotel receives high patronage from port workers or people working within the industrial sector.

“The appearance of the hotel and accommodation is dated (and) unattractive and as such significant improvements are needed to provide a more inviting and vibrant setting for locals to visit and socialise.”

The plans state the works propose the demolition of the existing hotel that would be replaced by a new building, and the refurbishment of the accommodation build at the rear of the site.

“The existing bottle shop building will remain as per its current condition and is not part of this development application,” plans state.

“The redevelopment of the Kooyong Hotel will significantly improve aesthetics of the built form and provide an attractive streetscape interface to Harbour Road, while the refurbishment of the accommodation will ensure that attractive and high-quality rooms for overnight accommodation can be provided for visitors.

“It will also provide for an increased opportunity for passive surveillance to Harbour Road.”