Boathouse Group: Plans for $16m Terrey Hills restaurant complex approved
A popular Sydney hospitality business has been given the go-ahead to its growing portfolio of eateries, with approval to build a $16m ‘farmhouse’ restaurant on the northern beaches. See the images.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Plans for a $16m restaurant complex on the northern beaches have been given the go ahead.
The Boathouse Group, which already has 12 hospitality outlets from the Central Coast to Wollongong, can now build a new eatery, catering to close to 600 diners, on a semirural property at Terrey Hills.
It will be named “The Farmhouse”.
The state government’s Sydney North Planing Panel has approved the development application, which had divided local support and opposition down the middle.
Of the 43 public submissions received when the original DA went on public exhibition late last year, 22 locals backed the plan, while 21 wanted it scrapped.
The Boathouse Group had originally wanted to spend $33m to create three separate restaurants, across two buildings, serving 800 patrons on the same 1.6ha site, just off busy Mona Vale Rd.
But after discussions with Northern Beaches Council about several issues, the plans were pared back to just one large undercover eatery that will have a number of outdoor dining options.
The “Farmhouse” project comes close to five years after the Boathouse group, under its previous owners, almost collapsed owing money to hundreds of creditors.
It is now owned by North Shore property developer brothers Ben and Jono Isaac and has cafes and restaurants including Manly Pavilion, Barrenjoey House, Mona Social, The Boathouse Shelly Beach, The Boathouse Hotel Patonga and Boathouse Wollongong, under its umbrella.
Their company, Isaac Property Developments, bought the undeveloped site for $9.8m in 2022.
Planning documents state the complex would be made up of a ‘farm-style’ restaurant set within a ‘landscaped open space”.
There will 211 carparking spots as well as a children’s play area and a large lawn. A private dining room will be available.
‘The Farmhouse” would open from 7am-12am, seven days a week and cater to a maximum 594 patrons.
Plans include a dining terrace and a small stage to provide ambient live music from midday to 10pm.
In his submission, Terrey Hills Progress Association president, Paul Davenport, raised several concerns while acknowledging that a “significant number of people are supportive” of the DA.
Mr Davenport suggested that noise would have a “potentially adverse impact on residents in this area, particularly if weddings and other functions are permitted at these locations”.
The Duffys Forest Residents Association supported the DA because it would provide more jobs for locals, but stated that issues about vehicle access from Mona Vale Rd, sufficient parking and potential noise impacts needed to be addressed.
In its written decision, the planning panel stated that the final design “benefited from extensive consultation with the council, the community and government agencies”.
“The final proposal is a substantial downsizing of the original application with resultant reduction of impacts on the site, neighbours and environment,” the decision read.
More Coverage
Originally published as Boathouse Group: Plans for $16m Terrey Hills restaurant complex approved
‘Disturbing’: The sickening rise in child-like sex doll imports
Authorities are seizing child-like sex dolls at the country’s border on an almost weekly basis in a “disturbing rise” in importations which can attract maximum fines of almost $800,000 and 10-year jail terms. See who has been charged.
‘Time of need’: Cruel cancer blow for young, dedicated cop
He’s dedicated his life to the community since he joined the NSW Police Force and now the family of a young cop has called for others to give back as he fights advanced cancer.