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Former Auburn ambulance station to become a pub, TAB

A former ambulance station will be reused as a pub and TAB but punters will have no doubt about the 90-year-old landmark’s history with heritage-listed signage to remain.

The former Auburn ambulance station will soon have a very different use.
The former Auburn ambulance station will soon have a very different use.

The former Auburn ambulance station will convert to a $2.9 million pub, bistro, TAB, and gaming room after the green light was given to proceed with fitting out the heritage-listed landmark building.

Cumberland Council Local Planning Panel recently approved Nelson Meers Hotel Group’s project, which will demolish part of the 90-year-old double-storey building at 60 Queen St, near Auburn Central shopping centre.

The ground floor will house a gaming bar, bathrooms, staircase, a new lift and a safe room. Minor demolition is also proposed to the existing outbuilding at the back of the site to accommodate storage rooms.

Auburn ambulance station in 1931, the year it opened, as seen from Harrow Rd. Picture: The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate
Auburn ambulance station in 1931, the year it opened, as seen from Harrow Rd. Picture: The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate
Nurses outside Auburn ambulance station in 1931.
Nurses outside Auburn ambulance station in 1931.

The second storey of the 360sq m site will be used for outdoor dining and an indoor dining area, bar and the TAB.
As a nod to its heritage, the developers will retain the Auburn Ambulance Station sign and the Maltese Crosses on the facade, reminding guests of its original function. The features will remain alongside new signs indicating it is a hotel.

The heritage-listed landmark is considered significant because it is an intact example of the interwar free classical style. It stopped being used as an ambulance station in the mid 1990s.

The original Auburn ambulance station on the corner of Station Rd and Rawson St, circa 1916.
The original Auburn ambulance station on the corner of Station Rd and Rawson St, circa 1916.

Under the conditions of approval, the pub and TAB will operate from 10am to midnight Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10pm on Sunday.

The gaming room will open from 10am to 4am Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10pm Sunday, while the kitchen will operate from 11am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.

A community suggestion to use the station as a community centre was rejected. Police did not oppose the plan.

The pub will face a plaza in the centre of Auburn.
The pub will face a plaza in the centre of Auburn.

The council also requested keeping timber framed windows and the design of the main entry doors to retain the original features.

Inside Auburn ambulance station. Left: the central entrance hall and (right) the hall towards the ambulance bays at the back.
Inside Auburn ambulance station. Left: the central entrance hall and (right) the hall towards the ambulance bays at the back.
Inside Auburn ambulance station. Left: the central entrance hall and (right) the hall towards the ambulance bays at the back.
Inside Auburn ambulance station. Left: the central entrance hall and (right) the hall towards the ambulance bays at the back.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/former-auburn-ambulance-station-to-become-a-pub-tab/news-story/54a6b2599cbebfd8d125698c4dcbeeb2