Rose Bay’s Catalina calms fears over restaurant plan
Planners at eastern suburbs dining institution Catalina have sought to calm fears over traffic, loss of views and conflict with the Sydney Seaplanes base as they forge ahead with their $5.2 million expansion plans.
Wentworth Courier
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Planners at eastern suburbs dining institution Catalina have sought to calm fears over traffic, loss of views and conflict with the Sydney Seaplanes base as they forge ahead with their $5.2 million expansion plans.
The Rose Bay harbourside restaurant announced plans in June for an expansion to accommodate 200 customers.
In the months since several residents and organisations have contacted Woollahra Council with concerns about the development.
With a date yet to be set for the application to appear before a planning panel, Catalina bosses have attempted to answer criticism and concerns.
The restaurant is built along the shoreline and extends into the harbour with the support of concrete piers.
The expansion proposal is to extend the building into the harbour to increase the capacity to 200.
The floor space would increase by 194m2 to a total of 734m2.
Among those to have registered their concern is Sydney Seaplanes. The company’s base is just metres to the east of the restaurant.
Mills Oakley law firm, acting on behalf of Sydney Seaplanes, issued concerns about the impact of the construction and also suggested the development could be prohibited by planning zoning in the area (W4 Aviation Zoning).
“Catalina restaurant enjoys development approval dating back more than 20 years,” the restaurant responded.
“And as such has clearly established lawful existing use rights. The subject area is zoned, W4 aviation … the proposal is completely consistent with the achievement of the objectives of the zone.”
They added they would work with their neighbours to minimise any disruption for Sydney Seaplanes.
A number of residents wrote to the council to complain of the loss of views, particularly from the popular Lyne Park.
Catalina conceded there would be a loss of views but said it would be “minimal in nature”.
“The reality is that the extension of the building to the north and south is relatively minor and will only obstruct views to the Sydney Seaplanes facility and the ferry wharf respectively,” they added.
There are also concerns about parking and traffic with the increase in size of the restaurant.
Neofitos Stavrou, who owns the land occupied by Jewel on the Bay and Den Sushi, said that previous development applications from his tenants had been rejected based on parking issues.
While he said he supported the development he said more parking is necessary otherwise businesses around will suffer.
Catalina planners responded by saying the independent traffic report they commissioned concluded there would be little impact on traffic and parking.
“The vast majority of patrons access the restaurant via transport methods other than private cars.
“This is largely as a result of the fact that it is a licensed premises and as such the majority of patrons will consume alcohol with their meal and as such, will not be able to drive.”
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Town planner Lance Doyle, from Doyle Consulting, is the man behind the plans.
He said the proposal will make a “positive contribution to Rose Bay” without “material impact upon the natural environment, amenity, public domain views or waterscape”.
Catalina has been a magnet for the rich and famous for decades. As well being a much-loved dining spot for residents of the Eastern Suburbs it has also hosted Hollywood royalty including Nicole Kidman, Orlando Bloom and Al Pacino.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is a regularly and was once a part-owner.