Currawong Beach Cottages Refurbishment

Carfax completed the restoration of three (3) of the Heritage-listed Currawong Beach Cottages, and Games Room located on Pittwater opposite Palm Beach Marina. As this site is only accessible by water, these works were undertaken using marine access for materials and site personnel each day.

This contract included the removal of asbestos, strip out of internal and external linings back to framing the cottages, and the demolition and like-for-like rebuild of a heritage Games Room common area. Carfax installed new structural concrete footings and slabs to accommodate the new extensions and buildings. Carfax transported all concrete (7 trucks) via barge to the foreshore of Currawong and then poured via pump up the hillside to each Cabin.

Two holiday cabins were also extended to include new bathroom and shower facilities. Carfax restored the original timber framing and bracing, removed sandstone retaining walls, installed reinforced block walls and rebuilt the existing sandstone walls in front of the cottages, and restored them to their original condition. “Kookaburra” and “Goanna” cabins were located on a hillside with difficult access. All construction materials were barged to the foreshore and moved by hand across the hillside to each Cabin.

Interior works to the cottages included:

• New kitchens to each cottage
• New metal roofing to each cottage
• New bedroom extension to Blue Tongue Cottage.
• New bathroom and shower areas
• New fireplace wood heaters to each cottage, including tiled hearths
• Restoration of timber windows and upgrade of glass to meet new BASIX requirements
• New internal and external lighting

External works included:

• Restoration of the existing masonry piers
• Bushfire upgrades including mesh screens to sub floor areas and timber windows to protect the buildings from ember attacks
• New concrete & sandstone pathways
• New hardwood timber decks to each cottage, including S/S balustrade wiring and hardwood handrails
• Restoration of sandstone barbeques and sandstone terraces areas

Client, PM & Architect : Northern Beaches Council