Have your say

Size and scope

As you can see from the wooden structures, and D.A. submission, the increased footprint is far greater than 10%. This figure is intentionally misleading, as it includes storage space used on the promenade for trailers, surf craft and surf boats, which do not take up even a single story, are waterproof, and do not need multi-million dollar solid storage.

The actual increase in footprint is 49%. Each floor is 10% taller than the existing club, so over 3 floors, the real increase in size of the building is closer to a massive 114%. Over double its current Size.

Circulation of foot and vehicle traffic

A great concern is how the increased footprint (the building now being too large for its location) will mean that the footpath to the rear of the building will need widening. This has a knock on effect into a residential area. The road will be realigned creating a bottleneck. Beach users, club members and delivery drivers that regularly ignore traffic signs will cause chaos.

The pedestrian crossing will be narrowed, and pedestrians who may take a shorter diagonal route around the building, put in peril. Stopping zones will be changed and reduced, emergency access added (removing parking bays) and disabled bays moved to more dangerous positions. In all, at least 6 parking bays will be lost, and only two allocated to the enlarged club.

Change to the culture of the Southern corner

The current design is ugly, not in keeping with the delicate balance of the southern end of the beach. The cliff face will be obscured, 6 trees will be removed (2 of which are considered ‘low value’). The natural environmental setting replaced with a concrete monolith that is not in keeping with the character of the foreshore. Our public space, crown land, designated for general community use, will be lost in favour of a private club to which we have no access.

View impact

It’s not just the properties around the surf club that will be affected. The iconic viewpoint from Reddall street, will lose its magic. Ashburner Street will lose its sunrise. The horizon and sea are considered ‘High value elements’ in the view assessment submitted to council. How high? $20million?

Commercial follies and management

In 1981, when the current surf club was built, it was granted the use of a function room to help raise money for the maintenance of the building. It’s immediately obvious, given its current state, that effective management of the facilities was not implemented, and the building not kept in good condition.

So what’s the plan for the new building? Will we be left with a huge, gradually deteriorating eyesore that dominates the beach? There are numerous businesses in the southern corner that have failed, are failing, or need support. Not competition.

Why not alternatives?

Why is a gym needed for a handful of people when there are plenty in Manly? Why are the Bold and the Beautiful only really getting some new hooks for their bags? And why is there another council property on the seafront coming to the end of its current lease that is not being considered as part of the solution?

The ‘Pantry,’ building situated and the end of the Corso could replace the multipurpose hall, club room, bars and club shop that make up 26% of the proposed new building. It also has less residential neighbours and noise restrictions, easy access and a constant stream visiting foot traffic in need of beach safety education.

Cost

Fairly obvious during a cost of living crisis. The $20million estimate for this project is conservative to say the least, and could easily balloon into an unsustainable embarrassment. This is rate payers money.

Given the percentage gain in area of the building, only 6% of this total would be for public amenities, 5% on council lifeguards, 1% on the kiosk (which actually loses floorspace), and the remaining 88% on a private club. Is this money well spent?.

Community

The Surf lifesaving volunteers do a great job, and deserve modern, up to date facilities, this is in no doubt.

Do they need three training rooms, when most of their training, and lifesaving, takes place on the beach? Nippers fill the beach on Summer Sundays. Do they need a balcony, bar and rooftop bar that will be empty at the first sign of howling summer onshore winds? Do they need a castle to show how great they are, that will be seen from Queenscliff?

Manly is lucky to have businesses on its doorstep, cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s a busy, city beach without the luxury of space. Making the most of what we have in the community is paramount, not losing touch with what community is, and robbing it of its shared open places.