Big plans for Elanora Hotel redevelopment

A redevelopment proposal for the Elanora Hotel at East Gosford has been submitted to Central Coast Council.

The proposal involves demolition of the existing motel behind the pub and replacing it with a new three storey 60-room motel facing Brougham St.

The pub would be extended and refurbished, the bottle shop renewed and a new two-level parking area with new one-way access driveways to Victoria Str (in and out), Adelaide St (in) and Brougham St (out).

The included addresses are: 41-45 and 29-31 Victoria St; 27 and 27A Adelaide St; and 20 and 16 Brougham St.

The allowed building height for the site is 11.5m and the plan would see the maximum height contained at 11.16m.

The alterations and additions would extend the hotel to the north-east, along Adelaide St, and provide additional dining and service areas, including a terrace area on the north-eastern side with a retractable roof which will be permanently closed from 10pm each evening.

Internal alterations to the existing hotel would include a new pedestrian entry from the internal car park and a new children’s play area.

Lift and stair access would provide access to the lower car parking areas and the motel.

The application proposes the operation of a shuttle bus service.

The peak operating times of the hotel have been identified as 6.30-8.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights and 12-2pm on Sundays.

The shuttle bus, seating up to 12 passengers, would operate from two hours prior to the start of the peak times to one hour after the peak times.

Each trip would take up to 30 minutes to pick up passengers from the area bounded by West Gosford, Wyoming, Springfield, Green Point and Erina.

Over a three-hour period, the bus would complete six trips with12 passengers per trip, equating to 72 passengers.

“It can be expected that local trade professionals will be utilised in the construction/fit out phase of the development creating a positive outcome in the short to medium term,” the application says.

“The operation, cleaning, maintenance and other services required by all elements of the development will provide sustained, long-term employment to a section of the local and wider Central Coast communities.

“It can also be expected that the operation of the renovated and expanded Elanora Hotel site will require continued and increased long term employment.”

The application says further opportunities could be created in the local retail / service sector with more people, such as patrons of the new motel, spending money at cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues in the surrounding local centre with the economic multiplier effect impacting local business investment and employment in the area.

The application, from Bonython Elanora Pty Ltd, was lodged on December 19 and will probably be assessed by the regional planning panel some time next year.

Merilyn Vale