Currawong Cottages Restoration (Stage 2)

Carfax completed the restoration of four (4) of the Heritage-listed Currawong Beach Cottages, located in Pittwater Park. 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 external linings back to the framing of the cottages, and the major renovation of finishes internally. Carfax installed new structural concrete footings and slabs to accommodate the new extensions and buildings.  We transported all concrete (5 trucks) via barge to the foreshore of Currawong and poured via pump up the hillside to each Cabin.

Three holiday cabins were also extended to include new bathroom and shower facilities. Each cabin received new hardwood timber decks, roofing, gutter & downpipes, along with new kitchens and complete landscaping packages. Cabin 3 ‘Platypus’ had a reduced scope due to the increased heritage significance, meaning the existing wall linings were retained however a new sandstone clad retaining wall and patio area were constructed. All cabins were located on a hillside with difficult access which meant all construction materials were barged to the foreshore and moved by hand across the hillside to each Cabin.

Carfax then installed new interiors to the cottages including:

• New kitchens to each cottage
• New metal roofing to each 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
• New louvre windows to extension

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
• New masonry piers & rainwater tanks
• Complete landscaping, pathways & retaining wall packages to the rear of each cabin

Client, PM & Architect : Northern Beaches Council