Council seeks interest in leasing Peregian surf club space

An Expressions of Interest (EOI) process will look to breathe life into the upstairs section of the Peregian Beach surf club building.

Councillors made the decision to go to an EOI at last night’s Ordinary Meeting.

At present the Sunshine Coast Branch of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) work with Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club to provide lifesaving and a nippers program from the ground floor of the building.

“The upstairs of the building has really only been used on a sporadic basis,” Mayor Tony Wellington said. “Residents have told us that they view this community asset as being underutilised.”

The building was home to the Peregian Beach Surf Club until the club folded in 2014.

“Noosa Heads Surf Club removed the kitchen and bar from the upstairs and also arranged to have the building reclassified, so it is no longer suited to commercial activities,” the Mayor said.

“Right now, there is no formal tenure over the site. The land belongs to the State with Council as trustee.”

“The decision to go to an EOI process will open up the discussion regarding the future of the building. Council has been approached with a range of proposals from various community groups. This process will allow them all to be formally submitted for consideration.”

“The resolution also notes that the Sunshine Coast Branch of SLSQ will be invited to submit to the EOI process. SLSQ have made it known to Council that they believe their tenure of the top floor of the building is essential to fulfilling their purposes.”

“In the long term, Noosa Council wants to see a locally-based, viable surf club operating out of the Peregian building. But these things can’t happen overnight, and the outcome of the EOI process will need to consider how best to progress towards this ideal.”

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed use of the building not only benefits the community, but also complements or aligns with the gazetted purpose as a reserve for life saving.

“It is my hope that this process will draw a line under the ongoing debate between various community groups about best use of the building,” Cr Wellington said.

22 March 2019