NOTICE OF MOTION - MANLY LIFE SAVING CLUB
This Notice of Motion was voted unanimoously
Submitted by: Councillor Candy Bingham
MOTION
That:
A. Council staff prepare a report on:
a. The present condition and adequacy of the Manly Life Saving Club building.
b. What action would be appropriate to bring the Club’s building into line with present and foreseeable future requirements.
c. The possibility of a design competition for a new building.
d. What funding options would be available, for a new building, including Government Grants.
B. The report is brought back to Council within 4 months.
BACKGROUND FROM COUNCILLOR CANDY BINGHAM Established in 1903 Manly Life Saving Club (MSLC) is one of the oldest surf clubs in Australia. It is situated at the iconic Manly Beach where an estimated 2 million people swim each year. The Club is run solely by volunteers, and is the largest on the Northern Beaches with 1975 members, including 705 young nippers and cadets, and 670 patrolling volunteer members. Manly’s volunteer lifesavers performed a total of 16,000 patrol hours and 3,950 water safety hours in the 2017/2018 season. MLSC trains and refreshes credentials of over 800 people each year.
The existing building, which was constructed in 1981, is now totally inadequate for the current needs of the Club, and the community. For example, when the Club was built, there were only 30 patrolling female members, there are now 760! The structure is in an extremely poor condition and provides no disability access. In addition, the public facilities are antiquated and totally inadequate.
For example SurfEducate host 200 schools and run 300 sessions on Manly Beach each year, a total of 15,000 students. The Bold & Beautiful and other ocean swimming groups can tally over 600 swimmers on the average summer morning. Even in winter these numbers still remain in the hundreds, seven days a week. And of course there are millions of tourists each year visiting the beach. Some years ago Manly Life Saving Club obtained a Development Approval to substantially remodel the Club, with an estimated budget of $5m required. However, present indications are that a complete rebuilding of the existing structure is required. I am advised by staff that this can be implemented within existing operational budgets.
REPORT TO ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING ITEM NO. 12.5 - 26 JUNE 2018 198 ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
In accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice Clause 4.15(a) I offer the following report on this matter to assist Council in the deliberation of this motion:
Council officers have been discussing the condition and future of the Manly Life Saving Club building with Directors of the club and this Notice of Motion aligns with these discussions. It is confirmed that the requirements within this Notice of Motion can be achieved within existing operating budgets.
