The future of a cherished Lake Macquarie pub is now in the hands of local council, after a devastating termite infestation forced its sudden closure and sparked a major restoration effort.
Beloved Watering Hole Closed After Termite Discovery
The Royal Crown Hotel on Ocean Street in Dudley has stood silent since May 2025. Owner Michael Deer made the difficult decision to close the doors after discovering extensive termite damage throughout the ground floor of the historic building.
"I went in there and I saw this termite damage and we started pulling up some of the timbers and they were buggered," Mr Deer recounted. His initial attempts to conduct like-for-like repairs were halted when Lake Macquarie City Council intervened.
A council spokesperson confirmed a development compliance officer inspected the premises on July 22, 2025 and issued a formal 'stop work' order. Due to the site's heritage significance, the owner was instructed to submit a full Development Application before any work could proceed.
Three-Stage Plan to Rescue a Local Institution
In response, a comprehensive DA was lodged with the council in December 2025. The application outlines an ambitious three-stage plan to restore the pub to its former glory.
The first and most critical stage addresses the termite-ravaged ground floor. It involves the complete demolition of the existing timber floorboards and their replacement with a concrete slab. The main bar, bathrooms, kitchen, dry room, and all associated fittings and structures are also slated for replacement.
A structural engineer's report from Apical Engineering laid bare the severity of the damage. It found the infestation had "compromised the integrity of both key structural and non-structural elements", including load-bearing bearers, joints, columns, wall framing, and even decorative architraves.
From Limbo to Hopeful Rebirth
For Mr Deer, a seasoned publican with past ties to venues like the Maryville Tavern and The Dockyard, the closure has been a personal and professional frustration. "There's nobody more upset about that pub being closed than me," he stated.
The process of preparing the DA was slowed by the need to engage eight different consultants to meet stringent heritage requirements. "I've just been in limbo," Mr Deer said. "Every man and his dog has been asking me about what's going on with the pub... It took a very long time to get everything together that they wanted for heritage. It's just dragged out."
Despite the delays, there is now a clear path forward. The proposed second stage of work will refurbish the first floor for use as offices and a larger meeting space. The final stage includes replacing an old cool room and garage, finishing the car park, adding a new Laserlite roof for the alfresco area, and installing new exterior windows and doors.
Built in 1892 by miner and proprietor W. (Bill) Russell, the Royal Crown Hotel is a local institution for the Dudley, Redhead, and Whitebridge communities. Its absence has been keenly felt, especially during the busy summer months when it is typically packed with patrons.
While no official reopening date is set, Mr Deer is hopeful that the much-loved pub could be welcoming patrons back sometime in 2026, pending council approval of the restoration plans.
