Ultra-chic but illegal
Popularity saves spot
PAPER Daisy restaurant at the exclusive Halcyon House at Cabarita has been serving the public for three years when it shouldn’t have.
But Tweed Shire councillors have backed down from a move to force the business to stop catering to the public, conceding the popularity of the ultra-chic restaurant and hotel has grown so much they are now internationally acclaimed.
Since the hotel and restaurant opened in Cypress Cres close to the beach in 2015, the business has taken the world by storm, being named No.8 in Australian Traveller’s 100 Awesome Places list, making Conde Nast Traveller’s 2016 list of 104 restaurants, shops and places to stay in, and featuring in Harper’s Bazaar twice – and that is just a fraction of the recognition received.
The luxe establishment is known for hosting exclusive parties attended by models, surfers and fashionistas, but under the current development permit, Paper Daisy is only supposed to be used by hotel guests.
In September, councillors voted to request the hotel operators stop serving the public in the restaurant, in line with the area’s zoning.
Tweed Shire Council development assessment manager Lindsay McGavin said several complaints about non-compliance had been made, centring on parking, noise issues and smelly bins.
But when the council met on Thursday night, Councillor Chris Cherry said she supported allowing the restaurant to serve the public because of its popularity.
“Unfortunately, this is a ridiculously successful restaurant which isn’t allowed to be operating how it is,” she said. “It is a bit awkward how this is in the flight magazine for Qantas and it is non-compliant. This is a way forward.”
Councillors unanimously decided to request the NSW Government change the planning scheme to include a restaurant at the hotel.
But councillors refused an application to build another three-storey accommodation building on the site because it did not comply with height limits in the area.
Halcyon House general manager Mauro De Riso did not respond to the Bulletin’s request for comment.