Threat to withhold rates to save iconic Suttons Beach Pavilion from Moreton Bay council demolition

A council plan to level a historic bathing pavilion and wedding venue north of Brisbane has riled residents, who threaten to stop paying rates and to hold protests.

End of an era as demolition plans revealed for historic Suttons Beach Pavilion.

A bayside council is under fire with residents threatening to withhold paying rates to protest against plans to demolish a historic beachside bathing pavilion north of Brisbane.

The 1937 Suttons Beach Pavilion, on the Redcliffe foreshore, was earmarked for demolition last year with the owner, Moreton Bay Regional Council, intending to knock it down this year.

The council plans will force the closure this month of a popular restaurant, cafe, bar and wedding venue, which has leased the former bathing pavilion for five years.

But this week, more than 12,000 residents signed a digital petition begging the council to reconsider levelling the art deco structure, deemed unsafe and crumbling by the council.

Redcliffe woman Jodie Starr said she was devastated when she heard the news and started the petition as part of a peaceful protest to save the beachside icon.

Despite the massive groundswell of support, the council said it would not accept the digital petition.

Redcliffe woman Jodie Starr at Suttons Beach Pavilion which she is campaigning to save from council demolition.

Ms Starr, the founder and leader of the Suttons Beach Pavilion Preservation Group, would not be deterred and started a paper petition which has already chalked up more than 3000 signatures.

“If that’s what council wants, we’ll do our best but it doesn’t seem very Covid-19 safe to me,” she said.

“Everybody I know in Redcliffe really cares about saving the Pavilion.

“I remember as a teenager we used to sit on top of the building and eat fish and chips.

“It’s an important part of the community and everyone goes there. We celebrated my grandfather’s eightieth birthday there recently.”

The community push to save the building gave hope to business owner Oliver Thomson, who will be forced to shut his restaurant and wedding venue and move out on February 28.

A shocked Mr Thomson said he had tried to negotiate with the council to extend his lease for at least three months so his staff could find new jobs.

End of an era for restaurateur Oli and Sandra Thomson after demolition plans were revealed for historic Suttons Beach Pavilion.

“If the community can save the building, there might be a chance that we can save our business,” he said.

“People are angry and there have been calls for a vote of no confidence in the CEO and for people to stop paying rates until this is reviewed.

“There has been no public consultation about the demolition and the council has rejected all our requests. We did get some rent support but that was due to Covid-19.

“We also offered to stay in the building before it was knocked down to stop vandals or fires — but the council said ‘no’.”

The two parties came to blows over the council’s claims that it had given Mr Thomson free rent.

Moreton Bay Regional Council chief executive Greg Chemello said invasive testing to determine the deterioration of the building’s structure required vacant possession.

He said there was “clear evidence” of progressive deterioration that the council needed to address as part of its legal safety obligations.

Protesters get signatures on a paper petition at Suttons Beach where they are trying to save a 1937 art deco bathing pavilion from being knocked down by the council.

“It is impossible under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Regulations to conduct core drilling and testing of concrete slabs, floors, interior and exterior walls, ceilings and roofs with the premises being occupied, especially with a food and beverage business, which would also risk breaching the Food Act 2006 and Regulations,” Mr Chemello said.

“It is also key to enable the council to engage more meaningfully with the community towards determining a sustainable future for the site.

“I do not accept that the council is responsible for destroying a successful business and leaving 48 people unemployed when … the business has been operating rent free for the past two years.

“Mr Thomson has had 12 months to prepare himself and his staff for this.”

Redcliffe workers are supporting saving Suttons Beach Pavilion, a 1937 art deco structure, from being knocked down by Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Mr Chemello said there were plans in place to ensure an appropriate level of security once the buildings were vacant.

Mayor Peter Flannery was criticised for not allowing the digital petition and for telling campaigners that if they wanted an independent assessment they would have to pay for it.

“An independent, qualified company will be doing the report, not council,” Cr Flannery said.

“So if someone else wants to pay the $150,000 plus for the inspection and report, then please let me know.”

■ The Save Suttons Beach Pavilion Action Group will have copies of the paper petition at the Redcliffe Markets on Sunday and will also be selling Save the Pavilion T-shirts at Bunnings.

■ The preservation group will also hold a peaceful rally at the Pavilion on Sunday, February 20 at 10am.