Plans to demolish Keppel Bay Sailing Club’s foreshore building at Yeppoon to rebuild have been revealed
Yeppoon’s landmark Keppel Bay Sailing Club foreshore building is set to be demolished. Here’s the latest on what will take its place if the green light for new development is given.
Rockhampton
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Exciting plans have been revealed which would involve Keppel Bay Sailing Club’s building on the Yeppoon foreshore being demolished to make way for a new three-level complex - a project that has been earmarked for more than 10 years.
The latest plans for the proposed multi-million dollar Keppel Bay Sailing Club and Convention Centre development were submitted to Livingstone Shire Council on August 11, 2022 in a planning report prepared by Gideon Town Planning for Keppel Bay Sailing Club Ltd.
The proposal is to redevelop the Anzac Parade site, which would include the demolition of the existing club and the construction of a modern club and function facility to accommodate the operations of Keppel Bay Sailing Club.
The site, currently home to the Capricorn Coast’s premier sailing facility, is located in the Yeppoon CBD within the open space zone and the Yeppoon Foreshore Tourism and Recreation Precinct.
That being the case, any new development would have to meet Planning Scheme criteria and Gideon’s planning report sets out reasons why the proposal does.
“It is considered that the proposal has merit and warrants favourable consideration by Council,” the planning report says.
In addition to the operational and storage areas associated with recreational sailing, the club’s existing foreshore site also includes a restaurant, bar, and gaming facilities.
There is another Keppel Bay Sailing Club licensed premises across the road.
In relation to the proposed new facility, it would have three levels with a gross floor area of 1911 sqm.
As well as accommodating storage and areas for recreational sailing activities, the new facility would incorporate a bistro, conference rooms and an observation deck.
“The proposed building incorporates modern principles and design elements internally and externally to create continuity of design in the general area without negatively impacting the aesthetic integrity of the natural environment in which it is set,” the planning report says.
“The facades introduce contemporary materials that appropriately complement the coastal settings of Yeppoon’s main beach.”
Currently, Keppel Bay Sailing Club operates from 10am to 2am Friday to Saturday and from 10am to 12am Sunday to Thursday.
“While it is not anticipated that the general hours of operation will change, given the proposed use and zoning of the subject site, and not having impacts on adjoining land uses, there is no requirement to limit the hours of operations for the proposed development,” the planning report says.
Keppel Bay Sailing Club Ltd’s application for a material change of use is yet to be considered by Livingstone’s councillors, with further information requested on the project by November 25, 2022 before it can proceed to the next assessment stage.
Yeppoon based architect, Brian Hooper who has been appointed project manager for the development, is expected to provide an update on the planning and progress of the new facility at the Capricorn Enterprise 2022 Major Industry Forum in Rockhampton on Thursday.
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