The Goonellabah Tavern looks set to receive a $4.8 million renovation and extension which will include an expanded beer garden, bottle shop and function room.

The cornerstone of the DA for the Hilltop, as it is still referred to by long-term locals, is a large extended beer garden on the northern side of the existing building.

Mick Drew Hotelier at the Goonellabah Tavern said the renovations are long overdue.

"It will be a nice revamp for the hotel. We'll have a nice outdoor area for dining, a new bar and bottleshop and function room extensions that will make the space more usable."

(Maps showing the proposed renovations and additions of the Goonellabah Tavern)

"It will be another reinvestment in the town which can only be good and we're using local contractors where we can."

The redevelopment will see the loss of about ten car parks at the front of the beer garden but Mike says the Goonellabah Tavern will not lose any car spaces as the car parking will be reconfigured.

(The above plans show the planned demolition work)

As for the start date? The plans have only just been submitted to Lismore City Council for approval and with Christmas only six weeks away, Mike is not expecting a decision to be made before then but is confident the development application will receive the tick of approval.

"If all goes well, we'll look at starting the building process in the first half of 2024," Mike said.

"We will trade through as best as possible, so it will be completed in stages. The beer garden will be the easiest part of the project as it doesn't involve the main building. We will have to close other areas of the hotel in the short term when the work involves the main building like the main bar area and bottle shop."

A $4.8 million investment in Lismore during a flood rebuilding phase can only be good for our city. Now, we wait for council approval and the build to happen before we see and experience the end result.