Council is committed to delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose community facility and new home for North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club. North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club has been a vital part of the community for 100 years, providing essential volunteer lifesaving patrols, development of competition skills and members' fitness, training, and education services.
62 Prince Street, Cronulla
Project background
North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club embarked on a redevelopment project, starting with the submission of a development application in 2017. The Club was planning to deliver a modern, multi-million-dollar facility for the community, as many other Bate Bay surf clubs have done in the past, with support from Council.
The Club secured State and Federal grants to fund the project, in addition to Council’s guarantee of loans up to $5.2M and direct contribution of $2.6M and commenced construction in 2022. Despite best efforts, the Club faced major challenges when the builder left site in early 2024, mid-way through construction.
With the Club unable to complete the project, the elected Council agreed in July 2024 to take on the project. Since that time, Council has undertaken an extensive due-diligence process and commissioned expert engineering and heritage reports. These reports concluded that the buildings have significant structural issues and defects, meaning retention and repair is not financially viable.
Council considered a detailed report at its meeting on 15 December 2025, that outlined the results of the investigation process. The elected Council unanimously agreed on a pathway forward for the project, which includes removal of the heritage listing, demolition of both buildings and the pool, and delivery of a new, fit-for-purpose community facility. The report and minutes of this meeting are publicly available here.
What is happening next?
Following a robust evaluation of all 26 submissions by a tender evaluation panel, with oversight via an external probity advisor, at its July 2026 meeting Council endorsed the tender recommendation for the Lead Design Consultant for North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.
Council officers will now work with the successful Lead Design Consultant on Options Studies before progressing to Design Development. Stakeholder consultation and community engagement will be integrated throughout the design process. Details on consultation opportunities will be provided as the project progresses.
In preparation of a new facility Council has partnered with NSW Public Works to assist with the demolition of the existing facility. Procurement of a principal contractor to undertake the demolition works is underway and planning pathway documents have been submitted for approval.
Council agreed in March 2026 to request the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to amend the Sutherland Shire Local Environmental Plan 2015 to remove the heritage listing of the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club. This request was made under section 3.22 of the Environmental Planning Act 1979. This amendment has now been made by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces delegate and can be viewed on the NSW legislation website.
In preparation of a new facility Council has partnered with NSW Public Works to assist with the demolition of the existing facility, including preparation of planning approval documentation, procurement of a demolition contractor and management of the demolition.
Additionally, Council submitted a preliminary business case to the Office of Local Government, which will be progressively updated with the key project milestones and construction costs.
In collaboration with North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, Council has been successful in obtaining a $100,000 grant as part of the NSW Government Office of Sport Surf Club Facility Program 25/26 – Category 2. The tripartite funding agreement between Office of Sport, North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and Council will contribute to the planning and design of the new surf club facility. Council continues to actively pursue both Federal and State Government funding opportunities.
Next steps include:
- Design & documentation: the Lead Design Consultant will commence an Options Study before progressing to Design Development.
- Demolition: partnership with Public Works has commenced, with procurement for a contractor underway and demolition to follow.
- Construction: anticipated following demolition and approvals, with programme schedules to be developed in 2026.
Project scope
Council commissioned a qualified architect to prepare a feasibility study and preliminary design options, in September 2025. This study identified the key functions of the facility that will inform the scope of the project:
- Public amenities
- Council lifeguard facilities
- Facilities for the Surf Club
- Commercial
The project will provide a modern, fit for purpose, sustainable community facility, that supports the important work of North Cronulla Surf Life Saving and Council’s Ocean Safety Team.
Funding
This initiative is proudly funded by NSW Government.
FAQs
Council resolved that demolition and reconstruction of both the new and existing buildings is the safest and most cost‑effective path forward for the redevelopment. This provides a clear, responsible pathway to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose community facility and home for the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.
Council completed an extensive assessment of the buildings, including independent expert investigations, and found significant structural deficiencies in works completed to date. Notably, support piles are not deep enough or properly embedded into rock. Engineers also advised that the heritage building has overall instability and non‑compliance issues, with corrosion of reinforcement and earlier remedial works failing to address defects. It has been determined that remediation is not financially viable and would not result in a safe, compliant facility.
Council has endorsed a design direction that retains commercial space, improves club and Council Lifeguard facilities, and optimises club amenities. The overall building size will be slightly smaller but there will be more useable floor space to improve efficiency and adaptability. Design development will now proceed in line with this option.
The building’s local heritage status has now been removed, following an amendment of the Sutherland Shire LEP 2015.
Council formally requested the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to amend the Sutherland Shire Local Environmental Plan 2015 – specifically to remove item 1044, the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, from Schedule 5, Environmental Heritage – via a section 3.22 amendment.
Section 3.22 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act provided a targeted and efficient mechanism for amending an LEP. This pathway offered an expedited process, supporting Council’s efforts to deliver this project and important community facility.
Community consultation is an important and often required part of the planning process, allowing meaningful stakeholder participation. Community consultation will occur at all required stages of the planning approval process and is integrated into the design process. We will continue to keep the community up to date about consultation and feedback opportunities.
Council remains committed to supporting the Club to ensure their continued operation and day‑to‑day lifesaving operations. As the project advances, we’ll work with the Club to minimise disruption and will communicate practical arrangements (patrols, storage, training access) as details are confirmed.
Council has developed a comprehensive funding strategy to ensure the construction phase is supported by a clear, financially sustainable pathway so the project proceeds in a way that ensures Council is able to maintain its sound financial position. This will be achieved by utilising Council reserves, commercial revenue, and external borrowing. The commercial revenue generated by the new development will fund the servicing requirements for the borrowings taken out to deliver the facility. Council will continue to actively pursue both Federal and State Government funding opportunities for the project.
While amendment of the Local Environmental Plan to remove the heritage listing has occurred, Council is committed to working collaboratively to deliver a facility that honours the history and legacy of the site, while providing a modern, purpose-built facility to be enjoyed for generations. Design decisions will be informed by expert advice and community input during the planning process.
The agreed direction reduces the overall building size slightly, maximising efficiency, ensuring commercial space is retained, and optimises amenities for the Club and Council’s ocean safety service. These changes respond to the detailed site analysis and the need for a cost‑effective, functional facility.
Council will publish regular updates and milestone announcements on our website. The full Council report can be read here