A renowned building at one of Australia’s most famous beaches is set to be replaced.
The Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club headquarters at Noosa’s main beach will knocked down and succeeded by a new purpose-built, sustainable and accessible facility.
Club members on Sunday voted to fund the next step in the design and approval process, after a Building Working Group spent 18 months of due diligence and consultation with the Noosa Council and key stakeholders.
The group, which is made up of experienced industry professionals volunteering their time, identified that the current structure, built in the 1960s, is past its asset life.
The process included a comprehensive building condition report and consultation with members, emergency services and other stakeholders who considered options.
Those options included a refurbishment, a renovation or a rebuild. Members ultimately voted to take the next steps towards a complete rebuild.
Club president Ross Fisher said a rebuild would meet the evolving needs of the club’s lifesavers and the wider community.
“The time has come to consider the future of the surf club building: an ageing structure that has had many renovations over the years since the 1960s,” he said.
“The proposed rebuild would facilitate and support the growth of the club now and into the future and reduce the operating costs of the current building and beyond.”
The proposed new build would be a purpose-built, sustainable and fully accessible facility.
It would include expanded lifesaving facilities to support training, patrolling and rescue operations with cutting-edge equipment and resources as well as surf education and emergency training for all local emergencies, and an emergency centre if required.
It would feature enhanced training facilities, with a third level used exclusively for active members and training.
The clubhouse would have environmentally sustainable design that supports sustainable principles and sensitive design consideration including rainwater harvesting and environmentally friendly building materials.
There would be accessibility improvements, including an underground car park for active members, to make the club more inclusive for all ages and abilities.
A modernised bar and dining area would maintain the existing footprint while giving the design and layout of the space a modern look and feel.
A media statement said “it will still be the best seat on the beach for visitors and locals”.
“The Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club has been a cornerstone of our community for nearly a century,” Mr Fisher said.
“This proposed rebuild is a necessary step to ensure we can continue to provide world-class lifesaving services while offering a modern, welcoming space for our members and visitors.”
The club has been working with members, stakeholders and staff via a series of consultations, which have allowed members and relevant stakeholders to share their ideas and feedback on the options for the future of the club.
Minimising disruption and providing adequate access for life saving is expected to be priority during the design and rebuild process. There will also be a continued consultation and engagement process.
“The club understands the importance and relevance of the project and acknowledges the long journey to undertake a sensitive design,” the club stated.
The club was established in 1928. It boasts more than 1500 members, including lifesavers, nippers and volunteers.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
