Suttons Beach Pavilion demolition a step closer

Moreton Bay City Council is expected to award a tender for the demolition of Suttons Beach Pavilion at its general meeting tomorrow, with work tipped to start within weeks.

Council officers have recommended council accept a tender by AllenCon Pty Ltd to demolish the structures at Marine Pde, Redcliffe, for a cost of $1,937,451. The company was one of two to bid for the job.

A report in the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting says demolition will start in early December 2023, beginning with ‘site mobilisation and preliminary ground works’.

“Demolition and associated construction work … is estimated to take up to 15 weeks to complete, plus a four-week allowance for wet weather, potentially extending the project works out until late May 2024,” the report said.

“The site will be closed from 22 December 2023 through to 7 January 2024. A communication plan has been prepared for this project which includes project notices to be prepared and issued and project signs displayed on site upon Council approval/resolution.

“The objective of the project is to prepare the site as part of the broader project for the establishment of new Suttons Beach facility.”

Council had allocated $1,250,000 in the 2022/23 financial year’s Capital Projects Program for the project, principally for demolition, as well as the project design competition which aims to identify a design and architect.

The report says council will need to commit an additional $1,650,000 (total $2.9m) in the 2023/24 financial year towards the project for it to proceed.

Council has allocated $1.25m in the 2024/25 financial year for detailed design, with a further $5.5m for construction in both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years.

Funding will be reviewed during the development of the 2024/25 budget and the project is also being considered for external funding.

Moreton Bay City Council will make a submission for $17m in funding via the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal (the Deal), which is a partnership between the Federal Government, State Government and the Council of Mayors (SEQ).

Why the project is happening

Suttons Beach Pavilion, at 50 Marine Pde, Redcliffe, was originally built in 1937 as a bathing pavilion and has been modified significantly over the years.

In 2022, Council engaged Covey Associates to complete an assessment of the structural integrity of the building. The assessment concluded the building had reached the end of its design life and did not comply with modern building standards.

Renovation of the existing building was deemed impractical given the significant work required to meet building compliance.

Community consultation took place earlier this year to determine a preferred façade design, following sustained lobbying by local residents.

In August, council engaged CPMA to develop the Functional Design Brief for the Suttons Beach Public Space Project.

CPMA engaged a specialist sub-contractor to complete a market analysis and economic assessment of the Suttons Beach site. The report identified the following use types for the new building at Suttons Beach:

• Hospitality uses such as cafes or restaurants

• Multipurpose rooftop function space with weather coverage; and

• Indoor fitness and creation gym/studio.

For project updates, head to Suttons Beach Public Space project | Your Say Moreton Bay