Tourist accommodation will be returned to Queenscliff’s historic Royal Hotel, under a planning application  lodged  with  the Borough of Queenscliffe.
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Owners  of  the  landmark King  Street  establishment  are seeking  approval  to  alter  its existing operating terms through a  permanent  liquor  licence, increased patron capacity and use of its cellar as a bar, gallery and venue.

The application, lodged by Sincock Planning, also includes building works to provide nine en-suited accommodation rooms on the upper floor.

After being closed for several years, the venue opened last summer on limited licences which allowed it to operate on restricted hours as an art gallery and cocktail bar for just 50 patrons.

The hotel recently hosted a sold-out dining event featuring renowned chef Guy Rossi, and according to the planning application, is keen to explore further event opportunities.

“The existing business has been more successful than expected, therefore leading to the desire to extend the life of the use and provide for the venue to be used throughout the year for three uses that align but can operate independently of each other,” it said. “The use of the premises as a gallery, bar, accommodation and function centre maintains the history of the site and its long established history of providing  accommodation, food and drink and liquor through various uses over time.

“The scale of this building does not lend itself to a single dwelling and therefore appropriate    commercial activities at a scale that is sensitive to the surrounding residential uses is necessary in order to provide for the long term maintenance and upkeep of the building,” it continued.

Under the proposal, patron capacity would be increased to 100 in gallery and bar areas and up to 200 for functions, and opening hours would be extended to 11pm, seven days a week. Current parking restrictions would also be waived.

“The reuse of this heritage building for a commercial use is consistent with the history of the site and the re-use of the building provides economic  return  that  can  be  distributed toward the ongoing renovation and upkeep of the building. This provides for long term protection of the property which is desirable for a significant heritage building in this heritage townscape,” the planning application concluded.
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The heritage hotel was originally built in 1854 by William Leigh, one of Queenscliff’s first European residents.

A contract has finally been awarded for the restoration of four P1 huts on the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve, with Q Constructions expected to complete the upgrade by December.

Funded  with  the  remainder of a State Government $500,000 grant allocated in 2019, the project involves removal of asbestos from the buildings, re-cladding and re-roofing. The works are only external and the huts will not be usable on completion.

Meanwhile, Queenscliffe Council is weighing up whether or not to hand the site back to the Victorian Government amid concerns it does not have the financial resources to maintain it into the future.

Borough of Queenscliff (BoQ) CEO Martin Gill confirmed recent discussions had been held regarding ongoing funding and long-term management.

“One of the options that has been discussed is State Government management. This is an option some of our community members have proposed, and I understand, have spoken to the State Government about,” Mr Gill said. “It was one of a number of matters Council were discussing about the Lighthouse Reserve.

“At the moment Council has no plans to formally consider this initiative.”

Such a move would represent a major backflip. The Borough lobbied for and was handed management of the reserve in 2012, with plans to create a tourism and accommodation precinct. The  community,  however,  rejected development of the site and Heritage Victoria subsequently listed the entire headland in 2019, providing additional protection over maritime, Defence and cultural assets.

During the impasse, the huts have fallen into further disrepair and have been regularly targeted by vandals, necessitating the erection of unsightly temporary fencing. One hut was completely destroyed in a 2017 arson attack.

Figures compiled by the Point Lonsdale Civic Association (PLCA) highlighted the cost of the reserve to BoQ to date.

Annual budgets had allocated amounts of up to $1 million every year to the reserve since 2016 - more than $3.7 million in total - with little progress, it said. “Since the Council took over management  of  the  Reserve in  2012,  some  works  have taken  place  including  the refurbishment of a searchlight emplacement and the engine shed, securing and painting the P1 huts, a new roundabout at the entrance and some revegetation works.

“However, the access tracks are in poor condition, there is extensive weed infestation, cars and pedestrians dangerously conflict, and the military and maritime heritage infrastructure  is  badly  dilapidated,”  the organisation said.

“Those with long memories will recall the community’s bitter fight to stop the Council’s proposed  commercial  development  of  the Lighthouse precinct. A petition of around 1,200 signatures was made to the Victorian Parliament to stop Council’s plans, leading to the Commonwealth and State Governments stepping in to protect the environmental and historic values of this special area.”

The latest works follow extensive consultation with Heritage Victoria, government and Wadawurrung traditional elders.
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