Noosa Surf Life Saving Club announced it is moving forward with plans to demolish the existing surf club which investigations have shown to have reached the end of its useful life with the new clubhouse in the early days of planning .
At its sponsors meeting last week surf club project manager Adam Hansen-Britton set out the reasons behind the rebuild decision.
The Noosa Surf Life Saving Club has been a cherished part of the Noosa community for nearly a century. Since its establishment in 1928, the club has been at the heart of surf and beach safety, local sports, and community life. However, the current clubhouse, made up of various renovations over the years, has reached the end of its serviceable life, prompting the club to embark on a much-needed redevelopment project, Adam told the meeting.
The existing clubhouse, a patchwork of additions and renovations dating back to the 1960s, has become a metaphorical “grandad’s axe” – a building that has been extensively modified over time, but still retains its original character. The club’s asset investigation, conducted in 2024, revealed numerous deficiencies in the building, including issues with storage, structural integrity, and accessibility. It became clear that the current facility no longer meets the club’s operational needs or the community’s expectations, Adam said.
The club’s decision to rebuild the clubhouse was not made lightly. In 2020, the club established a building working group, which undertook member engagement surveys followed by a thorough asset investigation process.
Adam said the asset investigation arrived at three options: refurbishing the existing building, redeveloping the western wing while keeping the eastern wing, or a complete rebuild. After careful consideration, the club’s members unanimously voted for a full rebuild, recognizing it as the best way forward.
The core of this redevelopment project is about enhancing the club’s ability to save lives, with enhanced patrol rooms, faster beach access and upgraded rescue and training facilities, Adam said.
When it comes to surf rescue operations every moment counts. The new club will have expanded lifesaving and training facilities, a revitalised restaurant and bar, coastal landscaping, adequate storage and a basement carpark, all within the current building’s footprint.
Beyond the lifesaving aspect, the redevelopment also aims to address the club’s aging infrastructure and the council’s toilets and change room facilities located within the building. The current spaces are outdated, lacking in accessibility and functionality, and no longer meet the community’s needs, Adam said.
“In terms of what the club is looking for, it’s going to be architecturally designed, it’s going to be the Noosa style, it’s going to be sustainable. It’ll have full accessibility, it’s going to be good for the team,” he said.
While the project is still in the early planning stages, the club has already shortlisted four leading Australian architects to design the new facility. The intention is to create a building that reflects the unique character of Noosa and retains the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that people love.
“We just want to get the message out there why the redevelopment is necessary and what the club’s intentions are and start the conversation,” Adam said.
