An artist’s impression of the proposed Canberra Southern Cross Club outdoor dining area on Corinna Street in Woden. Photos: Munns Sly Moore Architects.
The Canberra Southern Cross Club in Woden is looking to present a fresh face to the street with a proposal for a terraced outdoor dining area.
The club has lodged a development application for the $2-2.3 million project that will expand its food and beverage offering to members, provide a more inviting entry and enliven Corinna Street.
Woden general manager Matt Walshe acknowledged that the club was not the most appealing venue from a street perspective.
Mr Walshe said discussions began nearly two years ago about what the club could do to soften the front area and make it a more attractive entry.
The club also saw the opportunity to expand out the front after the $4.5 million internal update that converted the old Golden Grill to its Woden Central dining area.
“There’s an opportunity there to create a really nice outdoor area, which we believe will complement the Woden Town Centre Masterplan,” Mr Walshe said.
It was also a response to the ACT Government’s push for more street life and street-facing venues.
The nearby Bradley Street dining precinct and the future Shard development at the top end of Corinna Street opposite Westfield also influenced the club’s decision to meet the street.
Mr Walshe said outdoor dining was a missing element at Woden and the club’s recent makeover of its Snappers venue at the Canberra Yacht Club had been inspiring.
Competitive pressures had also played some role, but he said more than anything the proposal was about adding another service for members.
A street view of the outdoor dining proposal.
Mr Walshe said there would be an elevated terrace directly opposite Woden Central, a lower terrace area, and a space with pergolas at street level “not too dissimilar to what we’ve done at the Yacht Club”.
All up, the outdoor venue would accommodate about 200 patrons, with about 120 at street level and 80 up on the terraced area.
Mr Walshe said there would be heating for the cooler months as well as wind protection.
The DA says landscaping will provide a boundary to the street, create a visual oasis at the end of Bradley Street and provide summer shade, while the existing street trees will be retained.
The drive-through area and western driveway will be removed, as well as four parking spaces.
The traffic report says the new arrangement and loading dock will be safer for vehicles and pedestrians along Corinna Street.
The project was to be delivered in two stages but the club has decided to do it in one.
The DA is open for comment until 6 February.
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