AN experienced hospitality operator is sought to take up the lease of Wollongong City Council’s Stanwell Park Café, now open for tender.

Nestled beneath the Illawarra Escarpment, sandwiched between the Bald Hill Lookout and the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, and less than an hour from the Sydney CBD, Stanwell Park Beach attracts thousands of tourists each year.

Alongside these natural drawcards for visitors, it’s also home to a laidback village community renowned for its support of local businesses and the idyllic beachside lifestyle they help create.

Council is looking for a right-fit operator prepared to launch in May and committed to building a commercially viable, environmentally sustainable business that ensures a quality experience for visitors and locals while increasing recreational use of the area.

Stanwell Park Reserve’s recreation areas is a popular destination for families to picnic and offers a playground for children, covered picnic tables, right next to the patrolled Stanwell Park Beach. It’s also the landing site for the internationally recognised Stanwell Park Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club.

The premises is fully fitted out with a commercial kitchen and appliances, dry store, cool rooms, unisex staff amenities, unisex customer/disability amenities and furniture storeroom. The licensed area also incorporates covered outdoor seating.

Council is offering a five-year lease, with the possibly of a further five-year extension, allowing the successful proponent to lay down long-term roots in a highly sought location at the heart of a thriving local community.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said Council granted a five-year lease in December 2024 for the operation of the Bulli Beach Café providing an ongoing revenue stream to support the delivery of Council services.

“We’re fortunate to have so many locations that can provide quality service to holidaymakers and day-trippers to our region, while also servicing a loyal local customer base,” Cr Brown said.

“It’s important to provide a range of food and beverage options at much-loved locations, and that these Council assets can provide a home for enthusiastic business operators providing the highest quality service to visitors and resident alike.

“These businesses serve a customer base, while also providing important revenue through lease agreements that can help us deliver a range of other vital services that serve the wider community of Wollongong.”

Tenders are open until 20 March. All submissions must be lodged through Wollongong City Council’s eTendering portal at http://www.tenderlink.com/wollongong

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