Anglesea SLSC’s clubhouse upgrade approved

THE Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club’s redevelopment will bring a “net community benefit” and has been given the green light by the Surf Coast Shire, despite objections from people living nearby.

At their meeting on Tuesday, councillors supported the officers’ recommendation to grant a planning permit for the site at 100 Great Ocean Road.

Under the plans for redevelopment, one of the two clubhouse buildings will be demolished and replaced with a three-storey building that will be 3.6 metres higher.

Most of the objections to the permit during the exhibition period and at the hearing of submissions meeting earlier this month said they were not against Anglesea SLSC improving its facilities but not to the extent proposed, citing its height, bulk and the need for such a large building.

The officers’ report notes the “perceived detrimental impacts” of the works, including the form and scale of the building, loss of non-significant vegetation, changes in outlook and no extra car parking, “are outweighed by the net community benefit derived from an efficient and effective surf lifesaving club”.

Cr Margot Smith said the Anglesea SLSC was the shire’s largest surf lifesaving club and one of the largest in Victoria, but its growth to 2,000 members and a capped limit of 500 Nippers meant the clubhouse was “not built for the purpose it is used for now”.

“The main thing for this club is that they provide a safe beach, they are a critical part of what we deliver down here.”

She acknowledged car parking and traffic concerns had been raised, but they fell outside the responsibility of this permit.

Cr Libby Coker said the redevelopment had the support of authorities including the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, but she was aware people were opposed to the proposed works.

“I do understand for some people, change is difficult – we would have liked to have made a decision that had no negative impact on anybody.”