Cottesloe council rejects Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Indiana Teahouse redevelopment plans

Cottesloe council has voted not to support the proposed revamp of the iconic beachfront’s Indiana Teahouse.

It is another thorn in the drawn-out saga that is set to thwart redevelopment plans that have been in the works for almost three years.

Following a confidential meeting on Tuesday night, council deferred its decision on plans from Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s property company Fiveeight to renovate the site, with the proposed changes set to offer a 31-room hotel with fine dining restaurant, a rooftop pool and an underground spa.

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Fiveeight said the no decision stance was incredibly disappointing given the plans were submitted 935 days ago.

“We’re incredibly disappointed by the Cottesloe Council’s decision. It just creates further delays to the project,” chief executive Paige Walker said.

“We’ve issued over 300 pages of additional information to council to answer a number of questions that they’ve asked us. And we’ve held over 50 meetings with council to try to progress this proposal.

“In November last year, we were advised we had provided all the information they needed for a decision.”

Despite Ms Walker’s claims that Fiveeight had been ”very cooperative” throughout the planning process, Cottesloe mayor Lorraine Young said it was lack of information that was a key reason for the council’s decision.

“We simply have not been provided with the information to fully assess and understand the financial impact of the proposal on the town,” she told PerthNow.

Although the Town agreed that there were “many things to like” about the project — such as upgrades to public toilets and a new boatshed — the existing proposal did not provide enough benefit to the Cottesloe community.

“The current proposal does not align with the already developed and endorsed Cottesloe Foreshore Masterplan, which is a shovel-ready and much-needed project,” Ms Young said.

An artist’s impression of the new Indiana Tea House building. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“As a council, we’ve endorsed a set of parameters for the redevelopment of the site that we believe the broader community could support, and we would welcome a revised vision for the Indiana Tea House that works within those parameters.

“We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the proponent and other stakeholders to get the best outcome for this landmark destination for the whole community.”

Ms Walker said holding the meeting behind closed doors meant the wider, Cottesloe-loving community was unable to be involved.

“At the end of the day, we just want a better beachfront for all West Australians,” she said.

“They deserve better amenity, change rooms, surf club facilities and accessibility at Perth’s postcard beach.

“We now need to work through the information and decide our next steps.”