Council pushes for surf club refurb
A $7 million proposal for alternations to Newport Surf Life Saving Club has been brought back before the Sydney North Planning Panel after being refused late last year.
The proposal would increase equipment storage as well as see the construction of new training rooms, a foyer, elevator, and an extension to the outdoor terrace.
The plans also include the building of a buried seawall to shield the façade from coastal erosion due to rising sea level and more frequent storms.
In October, the independent planning panel refused Northern Beaches Council’s proposal for the site due to concerns over the positioning of the club and the use of a seawall.
The panel did not accept that the location of the club was suitable due to coastal hazards and suggested alternative site options had not been properly considered.
It also remained unconvinced of the merits of using a buried seawall, saying inundation on the building would occur and erosion to the beach and park would be likely.
As such, the panel said it was not satisfied that the arrangements addressed the requirements of the Coastal Management Act, which states consent can only be granted if the coastal protection does not ‘unreasonably limit’ public access to the beach.
The panel also had concerns over the height of the building.
In response to the refusal, Northern Beaches Council engaged environmental and planning specialists along with engineering consultants to prepare an application to review the determination.
Their documents seek to address the reasons for the refusal and provide further evidence supporting the merits of the proposal.
The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE), the Heritage Impact Statement and the architectural montages have also been updated.
The request for a review was lodged in late November, with the proposal now out for public notification prior to determination again by the SNPP.