Peats Bite: first look at new development as owners vow to rebuild fire-ravaged venue
The owners of an iconic restaurant in Sydney’s north are vowing to rebuild the venue from the ground up after a ferocious fire tore through the long-running institution. See what it will look like.
Hornsby
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The owners of an iconic Sydney restaurant are vowing to rebuild the venue from the ground up after a ferocious fire tore through the long-running institution, leaving only rubble in its wake.
Geoff Milner and Tanya Miljoen have lodged a $620,0000 plan to rebuild Peats Bite Restaurant on the banks of the Hawkesbury River into a new two-storey venue with dining areas, terraces and a bar.
The new restaurant would occupy almost the identical footprint to the former venue that was destroyed after a fire broke out inside the kitchen before spreading through the building in September last year.
About 50 firefighters battled to contain the blaze for two hours, however only the smouldering remains of the wreckage were left. No one was injured in the incident.
A subsequent Fire and Rescue investigation later deemed the cause of the fire as ‘undetermined’.
Ms Miljoen said they are determined to rebuild the venue – which is only accessible by boat – with a goal of having it up and running by next year.
“It was absolutely utterly destroyed because it took so long for the fire services to get here, and by the time they got to the building it was almost destroyed,” she said.
“We lost photos, all the memorabilia we were collecting for the restaurant’s 40th anniversary – the only piece of material that survived was a block of timber from the entrance and some trees but nothing else.
“It’s not a restaurant for us, it’s our home. We live there so we’re really trying to get this done as quickly as we can.
“We’re trying to keep the same look and feel of what the previous venue had – using modern materials, but keeping the open plan and alfresco dining feel about the place.
“It’s been a big roller coaster. We’ve had bushfires, floods, Covid and the fire so we’re happy to get on with it, and get back to work.
“It’s not only a restaurant for us, it’s our home. We live here so we’re really trying to get this done as quickly as we can.”
Plans to Hornsby Council show the redevelopment would include a ground level restaurant, kitchen, and a bar catering for up to 138 people at a time.
The upper level would have a private dining room, additional toilets and a staffroom.
Ms Miljoen said the outpouring of community support had helped the couple through a challenging period, providing them the confidence to rebuild.
“We had over 1000 emails from people the next day after the fire including from people who had been coming to the restaurant before we owned it,” she said.
“The public outcry was amazing and so many people have offered to help us rebuild.
“We’ve been there for 40 years so the aim is to get back up and running as soon as we can.”
The redevelopment plans are currently being considered by Hornsby Council and will open for public feedback.
If approved, the venue would operate from midday to 6pm and 10pm on weekends for small groups and private functions.
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