Central Coast Council is facing possible legal action from the lessee of the Azzuro Blu building at The Entrance.
In 2022, Council identified the need for urgent repair works to be undertaken at the time when the lessee was in the process of selling its lease to another business.
“Azzuro Blu P/L responded by commencing legal proceedings against Council in early 2023,” Council said in a report to be tabled at the February 24 meeting in response to a question on notice from Councillor Margot Castles.
Under the original lease, which started in early 2014 and runs to late December 2033, Azzuro Blu P/L is responsible for maintaining the complex, the public waterfront walkway and the adjoining jetty, according to Council.
“Further details to this matter would be best supplied via a confidential briefing due to the commercial and legal nature of the issues,” the report said.
“Should the dispute proceed to court, an outcome of the court proceedings would reasonably be expected to be known around September this year.
“The iconic nature of this site is clearly understood by Council, local businesses, the wider community, and visitors to the area.
“It is not possible to state categorically (in the absence of a court decision or a negotiated resolution) what the plans going forward may be.
“In the interest of allowing Council staff and Council’s expert advisors the possibility of achieving the best possible dispute outcome, one that protects Council’s commercial and strategic interests, any discussion of how best to go forward is best conducted on a confidential basis at this stage.”
The Council-owned building was built on public land and approved by the former Wyong Council in 2006.
The waterfront development, originally known as The Fisherman’s Wharf, was to incorporate restaurants, retail tenancies, public facilities and the boardwalk.
A condition of consent also required a public observation deck to be available for use by the public during operating hours.
The building is leased to a business which sub-leases parts of the building to other businesses and the once thriving wharf was home to a myriad of restaurants and a function centre; however, all but two have closed.
Presently, fencing has been erected, blocking access to the boardwalk and observation deck.
In August 2024 Coast Community News reported that Member for The Entrance David Mehan was calling for Council to either take back management or demolish the building.
“It’s an ugly and poorly executed building which blocks the public space,” he said.
“I’d prefer to see it removed.”
My friends, family and I enjoyed this iconic part of the Central Coast for many years, but now for many years it’s become an eyesore. Ubelievable! I believe these buildings in any other scenic parts of Australia, would have been very successful. The views, pelicans, water vista is so beautiful. The restaurants were fabulous and the top of the building would have been perfect as a rooftop bar, music venue and should be packed with the paying public! So shameful that this area has been cut off from visitors, both local and overseas. It’s a beautiful site that should be available to all.
The seafood restaurant functioning in this complex is one of the best in the area enjoyed by many locals for special family events. The councillor might not like the look of the place but Im sure many locals and visitors love it. You can’t beat great food with a delightful view. The blocking of the walkway is outrageous and unnecessary. It appears the worst sort of nanny control and deliberate destruction of a great local small business.
another example of local council destroying your beautiful waterways.
Have a look at the eyesores being built around the Gosford Broadwater.
I think the council she paid for the up keep. of the building and walk way.
A eye sore, on public land , rip it down
Put him back for lease
Clearly it’s all about what serves the public the most.
if it’s not in the best interest of the people who frequent that area it’s not worth having.
sounds like a liability at present.
Replace it with something more suitable in this time of age.
it is in disrepair looking at it from the outside. it’s pulling the area down. l love the entrance . go there a lot. hope they can sorted out quickly. yours Ron
get rid of it
yes it is a terrible eye sore nothing short of a disgrace should be demolished asap.Heaven knows what tourists must think when seeing it.its in a deplorable and filthy state.
bob the builder said can we fix it no it’s buggered.
Why tear it down when it can be restored? The location is unbeatable and Water’s Edge restaurant would have to be one of the best places to dine on the Central Coast. Whoever is responsible, fix this place now, discuss it over lunch at Waters Edge and see for yourselves why this landmark needs to stay!