Tewantin’s Royal Mail Hotel puts major expansion plans on public notice

A historic Noosa pub has released their updated expansion plans to the public, after initial designs including a drive-through bottle shop were shot down by the council. See their updated designs here.

The Royal Mail Hotel in Tewantin is set to receive a major makeover.

A historic Noosa pub has released their updated expansion plans to the public, after initial designs including a drive-through bottle shop were shot down by the council.

Queensland Venue Co Pty Ltd first submitted plans for an extension and remodel of Tewantin’s iconic Royal Mail Hotel to the Noosa Council in July last year.

The original proposal included plans to demolish existing parts of the historic building located on Poinciana Ave, a new bottle shop with a drive-through service as well as a large beer garden with an outdoor deck area.

“The addition of an outdoor deck responds to patron demand for outdoor areas that take advantage of the subtropical climate,” the documents stated.

The proposed plans for the Royal Mail Hotel include a large beer garden and outdoor deck area.

According to the planning report, in order for the extensions to take place certain existing areas of the pub are to be demolished, if approval is granted.

The proposed demolition includes the entire northern dining area, the amenities located in the south eastern end of the venue and the existing Liquorland store to make way for the beer garden space.

“These demolition activities are crucial to facilitate the desired changes while also ensuring the preservation of the heritage elements of the Royal Mail Hotel,” the documents stated.

Over months of back-and-forth with the council, including issues with the development providing only 58 spaces, more than 100 short of the planning requirement, the plans were eventually put on public notice last week.

During the application process the Noosa Council raised a number of concerns regarding the venue’s parking capacity and preservation of heritage features.

The council also raised a number of issues with the preservation of the venue’s heritage features during the remodelling.

According to the latest development documents the expansion has since been significantly reduced to meet parking requirements, doing away with the proposed drive-through bottle shop.

“The removal of new shop use from the proposal will allow for additional parking spaces to be retained on-site. Specifically, car parking supply on-site has increased from the 58 spaces in the previous scheme, to 80 spaces in the updated scheme,” the documents stated.

Public submissions on the proposed refurbishment will close on Friday, May 31.