20-06-2025
Demolition work under way as Deborah Hutton plots northern Illawarra beach house
It was recently revealed that it was all systems go for Deborah Hutton and her northern Illawarra beach house project.
The television personality and entrepreneur has pledged to regularly share the project's progress with her 72,000-plus Instagram followers.
Hutton recently revealed that she had signed the building contract to start construction of the new house.
Earlier this week she shared a video - "just a bit of a catch-up on what's going on" - documenting the site establishment, asbestos removal and house demolition.
"Loving the BIG Tonka Toys," she posted in a caption accompanying the video.
The total new build cost is believed to be $5 million.
In a previous video post on Instagram, Hutton discussed the knockdown-rebuild project.
"We had such a beautiful experience in that house, and it's shame we couldn't have renovated it," she said.
"But it's on to new and exciting times, and I'm looking forward to the next process... We are up and away."
Former Australian Women's Weekly editor Hutton recently received a medal of the order of Australia for her role as a skin cancer awareness ambassador.
"I'm incredibly honoured (and mildly shocked) to be awarded an OAM in the King's birthday honours," she posted on Instagram.
"This recognition feels far bigger than me - it's a reflection of the remarkable charitable organisations and inspiring people I've had the privilege of working with over many years."
In 2021, Hutton bought the oceanfront Wombarra home for $5.6 million.
The three-bedroom cottage was built in the 1960s.
It sits on a 1048 square metre block with direct access to the water's edge and 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean.
Hutton said the project, "will be a two-year build of a fab new beach house".
"We moved down here over 2 1/2 years ago and loving Sydney's south coast," she wrote previously. "Wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
The architect's visualisation of the plans shows a big build on the sloping oceanfront site.
The home's previous owner had lodged a DA with Wollongong City Council in early 2021, for the "demolition of dwelling house and construction of new dwelling house and swimming pool".
This was later approved by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel.
Last year, Hutton lodged an amended DA, which was approved.
Wollongong City Council documents show the modified DA was for the "demolition of dwelling house and construction of new dwelling house and swimming pool", with the modification of the "deletion of pool and associated structures, reconfiguration of dwelling, increased setbacks and addition of outdoor room".
