Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club to demolish 1960s clubhouse

A Sunshine Coast surf club has announced its plans to demolish a clubhouse first built in the 1960s to do a completely new structure amid soaring maintenance and refurbishment costs.

Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club president Ross Fisher said the ageing structure had many renovations since it was first built in the 1960s.

A prominent surf club has announced its plans to demolish their long-time beachfront building to make way for upgraded and accessible facilities.

Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club members and key stakeholders have opted to demolish the entire clubhouse in favour of a complete rebuild to cater to the evolving need of the club’s lifesavers and wider community.

Members voted to fund the next step in design and approval process on October 27 after 18 months of consultation and building condition evaluations to consider whether to refurbish, renovate or rebuild the structure.

As one of the oldest buildings on Hastings Street, Building Work Group identified the clubhouse is “past its asset life.”

The clubhouse in its early days can be seen in the club's Bush to Beach book. Photo: Ross Fisher

L-R Three generations – Club President/Life Governor Ross Fisher and Life Member Peter French with their daughters and grandchildren. Photo: Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club

Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club president Ross Fisher said the ageing structure had many renovations since it was first built in the 1960s.

“The proposed rebuild would facilitate and support the growth of the club now and into the future and reduce the operating costs of the current building and beyond,” he said.

The proposed new structure will be a “purpose-built, sustainable, and fully accessible facility”, the club said in a statement.

Plans include expanded lifesaving facilities which would cater for training, patrolling and rescue operations with “cutting edge” equipment and resources.

It has also been proposed to produce “enhanced” training facilities with a third level used exclusively for active members and training.

Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club members beside the club's first boat, circa 1950.

Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club members on the veranda of the original clubhouse (left to right) Earl Hempsell, Bill Gard, Bert Sealy, Tim Berg and Les Ferris.

The design aims to support sustainability with considering to rainwater harvesting and environmentally friendly building materials.

An underground carpark for active members for accessibility for all ages and abilities and a modernised bar and dining area has also been included.

Mr Fisher said providing space for lifesaving equipment and their nipper program – which is approaching 600 in numbers – will be a priority in the design.

The clubhouse was described as a “beloved landmark” in the community, with the club first opening in 1928 and now welcoming more than 1500 members.

“The Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club has been a cornerstone of our community for nearly a century,” Mr Fisher said.

“This proposed rebuild is a necessary step to ensure we can continue to provide world-class lifesaving services while offering a modern, welcoming space for our members and visitors.”

Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club in 2002.

Inside the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club in 2020. Photo Lachie Millard

Mr Fisher said the original building had been extended and altered throughout the years, leaving a “facade” essentially disguising what the structure first looked like.

He estimated the cost of rebuilding the clubhouse would cost half of what it would cost to fund 10 years worth of refurbishments.

Looking towards the future, club needs a building which will go the “distance” for the members, community and particularly future lifesavers.

It is estimated the construction could take about 18 months to complete, whereas the club would time the construction between two lifesaving patrol seasons, meaning only one season would be affected in the middle.

In that case, the club would organise containers or trailers to move equipment to the beach to continue lifesaving services, Mr Fisher said.

The next step for the club will be to find an architect who can create a new building to fit the site and Noosa’s style and architecture which the community can be proud of, Mr Fisher said.

He described the rebuild as a “major decision” for the members, no different to decisions made in all those past year to refurbish the clubhouse.

Originally published as Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club to demolish 1960s clubhouse