A long-running dispute over trading hours and event hosting at Pilu at Freshwater has resulted in formal approval by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel.
Background and Planning Context
The operators of Pilu at Freshwater, a long-established beachfront restaurant, lodged a development application in July 2024 seeking to formalise its operations and secure extended trading conditions. Located at 80 Undercliff Road, the site is a heritage-listed property under the Warringah Local Environmental Plan 2011, listed as Item I76 – ‘Freshwater’ Restaurant.
The development application (DA2024/0946) proposed internal upgrades to bathroom facilities, new accessibility measures, and approval to continue hosting up to 20 single bookings per year, including weddings and birthdays. The estimated cost of the upgrade is $49,500.
Development Approval and Conditions
The Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel approved the application in March 2025. As part of the decision, the site’s use as a restaurant was formally endorsed, with extended trading hours set at 10 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Saturday, and until 10 p.m. on Sundays. Patron limits were also clarified, capping capacity at 130 across the main building and pavilion.
Additional conditions include a prohibition on amplified music in outdoor areas, a 90-decibel sound limit, restricted movement of glass items after 8 p.m., and signage requesting guests remain considerate of noise.
Community Submissions and Response
Public exhibition of the proposal attracted 16 submissions — 11 in support and five in objection. Supporters cited the venue’s longstanding value to the Freshwater community and dismissed concerns about noise disturbance. Objections focused on amenity, traffic, and parking pressures, with some residents claiming the proposed activities could diminish enjoyment of the surrounding area.
One neighbour raised concerns about the impact of wedding ceremonies, prompting changes by the venue to speaker placement and sound levels. Despite these adjustments, opposition continued, leading to claims by the venue operators of a sustained campaign against their operations.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The approved development replaces older planning consents from 1980 and 1983. The planning panel emphasised that the conditions were necessary to avoid unacceptable environmental impacts. The restaurant’s operators have expressed hope that remaining restrictions may be reconsidered in future council meetings.
Published 3-May-2025
