Preparation underway for Surf Club & Seawall works

A series of shipping containers have been moved into place on grassed areas near North Wollongong Surf Club.

The shipping containers will provide a space for the Surf Club to store essential items as preliminary preparation works get underway ahead of the building’s extensive refurbishment.

“We’re working closely with Surf Club members to make this refurbishment process as seamless as possible,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“By putting in these containers now, we’re able to give them plenty of time before the swim season finishes on 25 April to put what they need into storage, and to allow the works to start as soon as possible after the official end to the 2020/21 season.’’

The major project will see the 85-year-old building refurbished to meet the needs of the Club and ensure the building is accessible, safe and functional. The works include structural works and a reconfiguration of its internal spaces to suit modern life saving and the construction of an accessible elevator and toilet.

In addition, there will be the construction of a new seawall in front of the Club building. The existing crib lock wall does not protect against coastal waves damage, and doesn’t extend far enough to cover the building’s northern end.

Read more: North Wollongong Seawall and Club refurbishment moves forward.

The seawall works, which have been partly funded by a $4.2M grant from the NSW Government's NSW Coastal and Estuary Grants program, are a requirement under the building's Development Consent with the site considered at extreme risk of coastal erosion by 2050.

“This is a significant project with the tender for the works having a $10.5M price tag,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“This is a valued community building and one that has been on the beachfront since 1936. It’s a local heritage item and sits alongside the State heritage-listed North Beach precinct. It’s important we get this refurbishment right.

“The new seawall in front of the building will not only offer protection for the building in major storm and weather events, but it’s stepped nature will offer a great spot to enjoy a North Beach sunrise.

‘’I look forward to seeing this project get underway, and for it to wrap up in time for the UCI Road World Championships in September 2022.’’

The North Wollongong seawall works have been partly funded by a $4.2M grant from the NSW Government’s NSW Coastal and Estuary Grants program.