Following the removal of the Coogee Pier Pylons, a motion has been set in place to consult with local artists, and possibly launch a competition, for installing a public art concept for these 94-year-old artefacts.
In July, residents were outraged after they were not given a chance to express their views on the abrupt decision to remove 12 pylons at Coogee Beach.
Council cited that safety concerns were raised when the structure started to shift due to the unusual weather events in the last few months. A quick response necessitated the removal but this left locals disappointed.
However, Cr Joanne McCafferty immediately tabled a motion with Council to repurpose the pylons as a public art structure under Randwick’s Art & Culture Strategy. Her motion was carried over without any protest.
In August, a public art competition has been raised, as a result of Ms McCafferty’s motion. Details of the contest are still in the works but locals may expect its launch soon.
Meanwhile, Cr Bill Burst said that installing a historical plaque at the pylon’s former site could be explored, recognising and informing the public of its significance.
The pylons were part of the Coogee Pier, which opened in 1928. The pier was once the favourite venue for concerts, dances and other celebrations, attracting more than 30,000 visitors to the beach. The structure was completely demolished in 1934 but the pylons remained at the beach for decades, reappearing above water every few times.
Central Element has submitted a proposal to convert the heritage-listed Victorian mansion at 39 Arcadia Street. The proposed redevelopment will comprise eight residences with each residence containing three bedrooms. The Ballamac House will be restored and will contain two of the proposed eight residences.
As part of the proposal, Ballamac’s original wraparound verandahs will be reconstructed whilst the original elements including the external and internal walls, the original fireplaces, mantle pieces and decorative ceilings will be retained.
Photo Credit: Randwick City Council / planning.randwick.nsw.gov.au
The other six apartments will be provided via a new four-storey apartment building on the east side of the existing house. All the luxurious waterfront apartments will provide views out to Wedding Cake Island. There will be a communal outdoor entertainment space, plunge pool and garden.
Car parking will be provided with 12 resident spaces, two visitor spaces and two motorcycle spaces along with five bicycle parking racks.
“Ballamac House is a hallmark project for Central Element and set to make a lasting impact on the celebrated beach lifestyle of one of Sydney’s most sought-after addresses,” Central Element said.
Constructed in 1860, Ballamac House used to operate as a hotel and boarding house. The residence has undergone numerous alterations and additions.
View of the site from Dunningham Reserve | Photo Credit: Randwick City Council / planning.randwick.nsw.gov.au
“The proposal will open the building to public view allowing the public to appreciate Ballamac House. A sympathetic contemporary addition to the northern side of Ballamac House will orient the house towards the street while retaining the original eastern and southern facades,” the proposal stated.
The planned multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Coogee Bay Hotel has ended up with the Land and Environment Court following strong objections from the community.
During the meeting in early August 2022, the Land and Environment Court gave the developers extended time to submit their amended plans. They have until 26 Sept 2022 to submit a new proposal, which will be reviewed before the next scheduled conciliation hearing on 10 Oct 2022.
This hearing will be held in a closed-court session thus the public will not be able to gather real-time information.
Coogee Bay Hotel submitted DA 437/2021, proposing to revamp the heritage-listed site as modern hospitality, leisure and entertainment precinct. The hotel is also considering an underground car park for 220 vehicles to service guests that will be coming to its new dining and shopping precinct.
Photo Credit: Coogeebayhotelredevelopment.com.au
“The applicant has engaged with Council over the past two years to ensure that the design reflects the desired future character of the Coogee local centre,” the developers stated.
“The project team has met with senior Council officers as well as the Design Review Panel on multiple occasions, and the feedback provided by Council has been useful and has assisted with the progression of the design.
“This proposal represents a considered mixed-use outcome with an integrated design which revitalises the site, complements the character of the area and provides public benefits back to the community.
Photo Credit: Coogeebayhotelredevelopment.com.au
“The objective of this redevelopment is to create a physical environment that will enhance the business in the years to come, while respecting the history and the role of the site in the community.”
However, the community’s biggest objection to the development revolves around the construction of a 23-metre apartment block within the hotel’s premises. Residents said that the proposed building will not only exceed the 12-metre limit for this Coogee area but the general plan will potentially ruin the community’s village feel.
Locals also opposed the underground car park as this will cause more traffic in a busy beachside area.
In November 2021, Council deferred the DA to the courts. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said that Council expressed to the developers that this “mammoth proposal” is totally incompatible with Coogee’s character and will impact many residents.
A petition to reject the plans has reached more than 8,000 signatures to date, while an advocacy group, Keep Coogee a Village, has also been established to fight the development.
A young entrepreneur is earning support from the Coogee community for his ingenious business, Jesse’s Shop, at the Dunningham Reserve despite complaints that he should be shut down.
Jesse Lane, 12, has filed for a formal application to be allowed to operate as a stand and provide for the needs of the visitors to the reserve. He has also started a petition, which has received over 4,000 signatures, to allow him to keep his shop.
It comes as the young entrepreneur was included in the complaints about the commercialisation of the park. Locals said that if Jesse’s Shop is allowed to exist then there will be 20 more shops at the park in the future.
A spokesperson for the Randwick City Council also said that some locals voiced their concerns about the safety and welfare of the young man. In the past few months, Council has spoken to Jesse’s parents about the restrictions and limitations.
Jesse’s mom, Catherine, said that her son started selling so he would have something else to do during the weekends or school holidays. He first set up a basic lemonade stand with an honesty box that evolved into a store with various products.
Jesse sells bottled water, canned drinks, sun creams and even dog treats for people and pets who regularly get their exercises at the Dunningham Reserve.
Here’s what some of the Coogee locals have said about Jesse’s Shop:
Alexis: “He’s such a great young man. Really made me smile. We bought a drink off him a couple of days ago, loved how he asked if we’d like to add a tip! We got a weather forecast update and such a lovely chat with it. Had a bottle of water in my bag but couldn’t resist. Go Jesse!” Alexis
Lucy Bloom: “Some people think he’s being overworked because he’s there too much for a kid. I know nothing about his circumstances but was criticized when I gave him a plug on the Business Coogee page.”
Nadine Ebert: “I walked past one evening and his mum (I assume) helped him pack up and he kept offering stuff to passersby and I heard her telling him off that it was enough and to come home now. So I don’t think it’s the parents ‘overworking’ him. I think he is a great little entrepreneur, but the thought has crossed my mind that he is there a lot.”
Caroline Windsor: “I have seen one of the neighbors having a go – saying he was out too late in the evening on a school night during summer. So long as he is not doing anything illegal then isn’t it really between him and his family?”
Joan Juana: “First time I saw him in Dec 2020, I also wanted to give him a tip without buying anything, but didn’t have any cash on me. The next I saw him, he showed me his set up and I bought my sis a drink and gave him a handsome tip by card. He is a great kid and very polite and enterprising. Very impressive work ethic. We should be applauding him, not making complaints. He is on his way to a successful business enterprise or more.”
Matt Petersen: “We should be rewarding this kind of entrepreneurial spirit, not whinge about it. I love seeing his store. Wish he was allowed to sell cold beers!”
Aside from selling, Jesse also loves to chat with the locals and visitors. Part of what he earns from Jesse’s Shop is donated to the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation.
Bowie, a 3-year-old toy poodle, was on a holiday in a new city with his fur parents, Coogee couple Mick Lavers and Elaine Robe, when he got lost and then went on a ferry adventure in Brisbane.
According to Mr Lavers, Bowie got loose on Ferry Road West End in Brisbane at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 24 July but then he roamed and searched for his fur parents and even went inside coffee shops and supermarkets.
The dog then hopped on a ferry because that’s what he often does with Ms Robe in Sydney. The Coogee couple said Bowie might have caught the scent of her fur mama on the ferry dock.
Meanwhile, back on land, the couple were distraught and frantic because Bowie never escaped before. They feared they won’t be able to find him in a new city.
Photo Credit: Mike Lavers/Facebook
So, they searched the unfamiliar streets of West End, along with the friends they were visiting. They stopped and talked to people, and gave their numbers in case they would spot the lost dog.
“I saw the escape down ferry Road and boy, oh, boy can he run fast!”
“I saw you all running after him just after you lost him – I’m sure someone will find him safe and sound.”
Some of the locals, who were complete strangers to the fur parents, tried to help look for Bowie.
“I know my whole Sunday was a mess and I have never met the dog,” said one local who helped with the search.
“I just went for a drive to look, there are a lot of people out and about, I’m sure he’ll be found.”
One woman, a stranger, also offered to drive the Coogee couple around the inner city for an hour.
Later on, the worried parents got the call they needed to hear and were told that Bowie was with a ferry worker the whole time he was missing. Apparently, he took a trip along Brisbane River, from the dock in West End to the depot in Hawthorne, in the eastern suburbs.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Bowie was then turned over to the Willawong Animal Rehoming Centre further in the southern suburbs and reunited with his fur parents the next day.
“Bowie is back with us after a Sunday arvo adventure in Brisbane, a ride of the ferry and a sleepover at the pound. Thanks so much to everyone who shared and helped spread the news,” Mr Lavers said on social media.
Eastern Sydney suburb residents have been left disappointed after the removal of a dozen 94-year-old Coogee Pier pylons that locals consider to be a part of the suburb’s history.
The removal was initiated by city officials due to concerns that leaving the pylons on the shifting sand, as was the previous practice after heavy rains, would be unsafe.
After days of rough weather, the 12 heavy timber and concrete pylons from the Coogee Pier were left exposed and dislodged. In early July 2022, contractors removed the fallen pylons, which are now in storage at the Randwick City Council depot.
Photo Credit: RCC/Facebook
“They aren’t heritage-listed items but we do understand their local cultural importance and the affection that many residents hold for them as well,” Deputy Mayor Kym Chapple said. “As a changing climate continues to impact our beaches we need a plan for how to respond to that.”
However, some residents believe there is no safety issue. One resident, who has lived in Coogee for 70 years, said that she has not heard of any complaints from beachgoers since the pylons rarely resurface.
Residents last saw the Coogee Pier pylons after a May 2020 storm. A Coogee native who regrets the removal said that these reappearances were like “visits from old friends”
Photo Credit: RCC/Facebook
History of the Coogee Pier
It took four years to build the Coogee Pier, which was inspired by the Brighton Pier in England. Delays marred the construction of the 180-metre pier with a ballroom/restaurant facility due to issues with the Council and the contractors.
The pier opened in 1928 and was once the favourite venue for concerts, dances and other celebrations. At night, surfing and swimming were allowed as the pier had floodlights all around. These evening events attracted 30,000 visitors to the beach.
Photo Credit: RCC
Photo Credit: RCC
In 1934, the pier was completely demolished due to structural concerns. Locals believed that the pier could not withstand the rough surf, despite assurances to the contrary from the contractors. All that remains of the site are the pylons that once held the pier.
Pylons Stonehenge?
Residents suggest reinstalling the pylons as a monument similar to Stonehenge in England. Ms Chapple did say that there are plans to return the pylons to a public site where the residents can appreciate them.
“In the meantime, we’ll take good care of the pylons as we investigate how we can best acknowledge their unique historical significance,” the deputy mayor said.
Glenwood Ave in Coogee is a cul-de-sac off Dolphin St, one of the shortest streets from among those that were subdivided, developed, and named in 1937. It has over a dozen art-deco style, two-storey structures. Did you know that some of the most interesting people in Coogee’s history have called Glenwood Ave their home?
The area was part of the estate of George Catley, the son of Charles Catley, the pioneer who was regarded as the Father of Coogee. Charles, the community leader, has been credited for helping turn Coogee, a formerly isolated area, into a resort town. His market garden was quite profitable in the 1880s, allowing him to buy allotments that bordered Coogee Bay Road, Dolphin St, Brook St and Mount St.
Photo Credit: National Library of Australia
Photo Credit: National Library of Australia
The Barcs
Dr Emercy Barcs and his wife Vica settled into a unit on 5 Glenwood Ave at the start of World war II. They were immigrants from Hungary who shunned the fascism brewing in Europe.
Photo Credit: National Archives of Australia
The couple occupied 5 Glenwood Ave and tried to recreate a semblance of their life in Hungary. The doctor published an autobiography in the 1980s of his life in Glenwood Ave. Dr Barcs worked as a journalist for many organisations, including the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC).
Soon after the Barcs moved into Glenwood Ave, other Hungarians followed. Dr Barcs was opposed to turning their cul-de-sac into an area of minority groups living together but the street was eventually known as a Hungarian-Australian neighbourhood.
William John Stones
William John Stones was also a resident of 5 Glenwood Ave. He was the son of William and Bridget Stones, the family famous for establishing the Stones Milk Bar and nightclub along Dolphin St., which opened in 1922. Stones Milk Bar was a family place and hangout for people of all ages who enjoyed its milkshakes, ice cream, and fruit cocktails.
Famous people have sat at the booths of the milk bar, including Prince Philip, who was then a naval officer about to get married to then-Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II.
Stones Milk Bar closed in 1967, years following the death of their patriarch. Its premises were later converted into the Coogee Comedy Theatre Restaurant.
William John used to cite his home address on Dolphin St in documents and papers until he moved to Glenwood Ave after serving the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the war. He was educated at the Marist Brothers in Randwick, which later became the Marcellin College Randwick. William John also attended St. Partick’s Business College.
Before serving in the war, William John worked as a refrigerator factory mechanic in Pyrmont and was proud that he came from pure European descent. For his years in the RAAF, William John was a Fitter Armourer and was discharged as a sergeant.
Olga Hochstadt, formerly from Czechoslovakia, lived in one of the units on 10 Glenwood Ave. Their family became prominent when they opened their home to several Coogee Jewish community events, prior to the construction of the Coogee Synagogue in the late 1950s.
Noni Elizabeth Leveson
Noni Elizabeth Leveson was the daughter of Voltaire Molesworth, a famous journalist and politician. Noni lived in 1 Glenwood Ave with her husband, John Levenson. Their divorce in 1949 became a public spectacle, prior to the no-fault divorce reform legislation.
More people will soon get to enjoy this popular Bondi store’s well-loved lox and chicken schnitzel bagels, as Lox in a Box gets ready to expand with two new venues at Coogee and Manly.
Come August, a new Lox in a Box store will open in Coogee with the Manly location following soon. Both locations will mirror Bondi’s offerings, although the Manly space will be much bigger which is enough to accommodate dine-in customers.
The bagel menu will include the classics: cured salmon bagel with a schmear of herbed cream cheese, tomato, onions and baby capers; and veggie bagel stacked with beetroot, Jalapeño cream cheese, onion, carrot, tomato, pickles, cheddar cheese and rocket.
There’s also the chicken schnitzel bagel made with cheddar cheese, mayo, peri-peri and lettuce; and the fried NZ hake fish bagel with tartare sauce, American cheese and lettuce. Customers have the option to add extras and sides.
Last February, the pair opened Fed Kitchen on Avoca Street in Randwick for their deli and catering business. The store offers (apart from open-faced bagels) takeaway meals, coffee, salads and pastries with the shop front also serving as a showroom.
Lox in a Box has become Bondi’s favourite spot for everything bagels since owner Cany Berger (Fed Kitchen catering) and partner Gaia Lovell opened their first hole-in-the-wall takeaway shop in 2019. The lox joint offers three delivery options: Pre-made, Build-Your-Own Bagels and Shabbox on a Friday.
The exact locations of the two new outlets are yet to be revealed but they hinted on their social media post that the location of the Coogee venue “sounds like ‘Have A Lox’ Avenue!” Well, I think you know where that is.
Find out why Will’s is a popular choice among Sydney’s best chefs. The cocktail bar, located at the Coogee Pavilion, next to the popular fine dining restaurant Mimi’s, and the tapas bar Una Mas, is the quintessential place for hanging out and enjoying drinks amidst the breathtaking view.
Will’s opened in January 2020 as part of a trio of eateries on the middle floor of the rehabilitated Coogee Pavilion. Offering cocktails with a view, the bar’s bright surrounding during the daytime is perfect for early afternoon indulgences. At night, Will’s mood and vibe are more subdued and fitting for sipping drinks, chatting, unwinding, and capping off a busy day until the late hours.
The European-inspired location, with leather seats, parquet floors, and a horseshoe bar connotes an easy, flowing, and elegant atmosphere, inviting patrons to bring their friends along or stay awhile and soak in the scenery with a glass of martini. The most popular seats are by the window so that guests can enjoy the view of Coogee Beach.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Will’s cocktail list from day to night features a variety unlike any other. The list changes regularly to incorporate fresh flavours or the season’s best ingredients. However, their martinis, infused with local ingredients instead of vermouth or olive brine, are a consistent favourite.
Photo Credit: Aiche_Kaye/Instagram
As with the drinks, the food served at Will’s changes to showcase the best produce available. But patrons may expect to indulge in elevated bar food like spinach croquette romesco or prawn skewer a la plancha with bacon that marries well with their drinks. Patrons could also order food served at Mimi’s and Una Mas.
Walk-ins are welcome at Will’s, which opens from 12:00 noon till late at night. For bookings with groups, visit the Cogee Pavilion Merivale site or phone +61 2 9114 7382.
Coffeeroom may be a little small for lounging around in groups during brunch but it offers the tastiest coffee with the most delectable sandwiches, panini, and some of the most delicious pastries in town. If you’re lucky, you can even catch some batches of Portugal’s popular Tuga pastries.
Coffeeroom has a limited menu because the site itself has no kitchen. However, the shop does have some very filling food choices that will satisfy when you’re out on errands and you need a quick fix.
The store prepared to open amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic in early 2021. Despite the situation, Coffeeroom’s owners managed to stay afloat. It might have helped that the spot is within walking distance to a few busy Coogee areas, such as the McIver’s Bath and the beach.
Cooffeeroom has an interesting fit-out. It’s Scandinavian-themed so the aesthetics are simple and straightforward.
For such a small space, it still feels absolutely inviting and cosy. There are a few seating areas but the cafe was positioned to be the go-to eatery if you’re alone or with one pal and you’re not planning anything grand.
The cafe shares the same operators as the laundromat next door to the Washroom along Arden St in Coogee.
The shop is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check out its drink menu on Hey You!
Photo Credit: Tom Butler
Best coffee I’ve had in nsw. Tastes like Melbourne coffee. Think it’s quite new, will be the most busy in Coogee I’d say soon. Keep up the cheery service.
Steve
Finally some good coffee in Coogee!! We have been waiting for a local coffee spot that tastes this good for ages, and they even stock Tuga pastries!
G Hill
Just got my first coffee and it’s refreshing to find a barrister in Coogee who can make a 5-star long black! Excellent coffee. Lovely space. Service with a smile.
