P0041165_RPT_IRR - Copy

The Country Life Hotel at Kin Kin is a typical rural hotel of the period, located on a corner allotment
with elevations addressing both corners. This is a very standard arrangement for hotel building in rural
locations, and indeed other locations. With elevations addressing both street frontages, this is a
slightly different arrangement of building forms to the Royal Mail Hotel, with its recessed front elevation
from the street frontage. However it is considered that the Country Life Hotel demonstrates an L -
shaped plan, like the Royal Mail Hotel.

The main elevation of the Pomona Hotel addresses the street frontage of Station Street, with a side
wing to the south-west. Again, while this is a slightly different expression to the Royal Mail Hotel, with
its recessed front elevation from the street frontage, the Pomona Hotel also has an L -shaped plan like
the Royal Mail.

Notwithstanding the above, a comparative analysis of these other hotels in the Noosa local
government area has not been undertaken for this response, as this is not considered necessary. The
proposed scheme for the Royal Mail Hotel has been revised and the extent of demolition reduced in
response to the concerns of Council raised in the information request.

Of the elements raised in the information request, it is noted that the L-shaped form of the original
building of the Royal Mail Hotel is not being compromised by the proposed scheme. It is indeed being
restored, in the Burra Charter definition of this term, by the demolition of the toilet block addition to
Poinciana Avenue from the 1990s. This aspect of work will reinforce the L-shaped form of the building.

It is also noted the reception area is not highly intact as a space. The female toilets (proposed to be
demolished by the scheme) were added to this space some years ago. The revised scheme will retain
the reception area as a space to a greater degree than the lodged scheme, although allowing for new
development within, to make more efficient use of this space.

As the scheme has been revised to address heritage concerns, it is considered that more evidence
does not need to be provided of the relative rarity and significance of the interiors, including finishes,
doors and windows and ceilings, to justify the level of change proposed to the interior layout within the
original L-shaped building.

The angled main entry is being retained, and is not compromised or negatively impacted by the
revised scheme.

The foyer space associated with the angled entry is also being retained by the revised scheme, to a
greater degree than the lodged scheme as a space while allowing for new development within.

The reception counter was proposed for removal in the lodged scheme and this is continued for the
revised scheme.

The stairwell was proposed to be retained in the lodged scheme, and is being retained in the revised
scheme. It will be accessible to patrons (not just staff) and will continue to operate as it has for many
years, in providing access to the first floor of the building.

The scheme lodged for DA proposed the retention of the southern wing of hotel rooms on the first
floor, and the demolition of the eastern wing of rooms to create a large function venue in this space.
This has been revised considerably, the function room concept has been dropped and the upper level
bedrooms are retained to a much greater degree by the revised scheme, largely in their current
configuration and arrangement. Some slight demolition is proposed to some of the rooms to remove
existing fixtures and fittings. Some minor demolition of walls or parts of walls is proposed, to allow for
the installation of new toilets and bathrooms within some of the former rooms so that each hotel room
will have access to ensuite bathrooms. All hotel room doors to the corridor are proposed for removal
and replacement with new doorways and new doors to the rooms, for compliance reasons for fire
safety.

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P0041165_RPT_IRR