No end in sight for life saving club’s woes

THE SAGA between Bass Coast Shire and Wonthaggi Life Saving Club (WLSC) continues as the club has been hindered from undertaking many of their summer activities.

The debacle began after the club’s former facilities were badly damaged beyond repair during extreme storm weather in May 2019.

In November 2019, it was agreed the clubhouse facilities would be demolished and replaced with temporary facilities, while a new club was constructed.

However, there were major delays due to COVID and subsequent lockdowns in 2020.

After demolition of their old site was completed, temporary facilities using retired portable classrooms were installed and work was underway to retrofit them, allowing the club to still operate in time for the 2022 summer season.

However, according to WLSC, in August last year, Bass Coast Shire’s Building Department, through the Municipal Building Surveyor, issued a stop work notice deeming the facilities were not temporary but permanent.

As a result, the club has since had to seek updated permits to meet the new processes and requirements, including proving the land, public toilets and carparking meet disability requirements.

The club has spent almost $50k on engineers and consultants to address the 12 page notice, and could spend an additional $200,000 to fit out the portable building into a permanent facility, which will be removed once the new facilities are complete over the next two years.

President Mark Scott said the club has sent a response to council after addressing the issues raised in the building notice.

“We’ve had to bring in access consultants, structural and building engineers and architects to address the issues because the facility was already in place,” he said.

“We had to go back and readdress the concerns raised; when our issue is the fact we went through a two year and seven month process already, planning with the shire and their representatives.

“The whole thing is just in limbo; we’ve got to wait and see what happens.”

Mr Scott said the almost three-year process has taken its toll on the club, and severely disrupted their summer activities and programs.

“We’ve still got weeks of work in front of us, and we’ve lost income and community
engagement,” he said.

“It’s a constant barrier after barrier,” he said.

In addition, Mr Scott said without any facilities to use, they are unable to participate in the upcoming Experience Cape Paterson festival this weekend also.

A council spokesperson said council is responsible for ensuring building works comply with The Building Act and appropriate codes. 

“It is the responsibility of the WLSC to engage a private building surveyor to issue a building permit for these works,” the spokesperson said.

“Whilst we understand all of the great work and community contribution Wonthaggi Life Saving Club members make to Bass Coast, Council has obligations under the Building Act to issue building enforcement notices to bring buildings into compliance.

“The building permit requirements ensure the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility, and sustainability is achieved for new buildings.

“The ‘portable’ building at the Wonthaggi Life Saving Club is classified as a Building Code of Australia Class 9b (public building) and is considered prescribed building works that requires a building permit.

“The construction (relocation) of this building and the associated building work including timber decking and excavations has been carried out without a building permit.

“Council officers will continue to work with the Wonthaggi Life Saving Club and Life Saving Victoria to resolve this issue.”

The club had received $4.5m in state government funding towards their new building, as well as $175,000 for a temporary facility and $45k to support their application after being issued the building notice.

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said separately to the work underway to establish a temporary facility, Community Safety Building Authority recently agreed to undertake project management of the permanent facility.