The redevelopment of the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club was approved by Kiama Municipal Council at its meeting on 18 April 2023.
The MMJ Town Planning & Advisory team played an integral part in the preparation and submission of the Development Application for the redevelopment of the Club providing valuable town planning advice throughout the DA including liaison with Council through to Approval.
The Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club commenced operation in 1978 and is located at the south end of the picturesque Werri Beach on the NSW South Coast. The Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club is a tight knit organisation, dedicated to protecting those that swim and surf at Werri Beach and Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa. The current Club house provide a base for the club to patrol Werri Beach on the weekends and public holidays from September to April every year. Members of the Club volunteer over 10, 000 hours each season to protecting the shores of Werri Beach and Seven Mile Beach.
Over the years the original building has undergone various renovations and extension. The current Clubhouse is no longer fit for purpose with unsuitable storage areas and dilapidated building elements. With the Club membership numbers increasing each year, particularly within the Nippers division and new rescue equipment being purchased, the Club was in dire need of upgrade/replacement. The club were successful in receiving a 2022 Federal Election commitment for a new Clubhouse building.
The redevelopment will consist of a new kiosk and new club containing a ground floor IRB store, patrol and first aid rooms, accessible toilets & change rooms, members gym, nippers store and surf boat store. The upper floor will contain a new Members Bar, Kitchen, Storage and Members area / function room and a wrap around deck.
The club provides a welcoming social opportunity for the community with regular events for its members, the local community, and visitors. The community facility promotes active and passive recreation for all ages, interesting activities for leisure time and skill development for talented locals to participate in competitions with our other surf lifesaving clubs while providing an important volunteer led surf lifesaving patrol.
The contemporary and functional new surf lifesaving club has community in mind in its spirit and design. The construction consists of a simple yet effective brick for the first floor, open spaced windows for lots of light and glazed fence to surround the front for optimal viewing of Werri Beach.
The new club house will be a benefit to the surrounding area by providing a brand new clubhouse building fit for purpose. There has been lengthy and detailed consideration of neighboring properties through the DA process with views from surrounding dwellings protected through a reduction in bulk and scale and an additional setback. of the new development is appropriate for the site.