Pub planned for former Auburn Ambulance Station

A $2.9 million plan is brewing to convert a heritage-listed ambulance station in western Sydney into a pub, TAB and gaming room.

There are plans to convert the former Auburn Ambulance Station into a pub and TAB.

A $2.9 million plan is brewing for Auburn Village Tavern to relocated into the suburb’s heritage-listed former ambulance station where a TAB and gaming room would also be housed.

Cumberland Local Planning Panel is considering Vic On The Park Trust’s application, which proposes to demolish part of the double-storey building, and fit out the rest, for the hotel at 60 Queen St.

The lack of parking fails to comply with the council’s requirements.

Despite the site requiring 88 spaces, council business papers deem the lack of parking acceptable because the building’s heritage value means no spaces are permitted there and requirements are outdated “and do not reflect current contexts and the reduced parking demand of pubs due to more frequent driver breath testing in recent years”.

The ground floor will include 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.

Beer will flow at the former ambulance station if a plan proceeds.

An existing room on the ground floor will be converted to a bin storage room.

Upstairs, verandas will host alfresco dining, while there will also be an indoor public dining area, TAB, bar, kitchen and amenities.

The 360sq m site, which has spills on to the public plaza, is next to Auburn Central shopping centre.

Under plans for the facade makeover, windows and doors will be replaced to improve the appearance of the building and roller shutter doors along the Harrow Road side would be removed and replaced with aluminium screens.

A pedestrian entry on Harrow Rd elevation would also be constructed.

The heritage-listed landmark is considered significant because it is an intact example of the interwar free classical style.

Council papers state that the proposed development would retain much of the original shape.

The bar and TAB would open 10am to midnight Monday to Saturday and 10am to 10pm on Sundays while the gaming room would operate from 10am to 4am Monday to Saturday and 10am to 10pm Sunday.

The kitchen will operate from 11am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.

The planning panel is expected to make its decision on the proposal on December 9.

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