Report's verdict on Suttons Beach Pavilion

Campaigners have today been given access to a 600-page structural integrity report on the viability of Suttons Beach Pavilion, following independent testing of the structure.

The report will be formally considered at Council’s meeting on Wednesday March 1, when it will also be made publicly available.

“With the invasive and non-invasive testing of the building complete, and the findings provided to Council, we want to ensure everyone who cares about this project has access to this report in full so there’s no secrecy or miscommunication about its findings,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“The report concludes the building has reached the end of its life and does not comply with modern building standards, outlining numerous, complex and extensive defects.

“It finds the internal structural damage is so bad even rectification works would necessitate demolition of the Pavilion building to allow partial reconstruction, due to significant water ingress and some concrete cancer. 

“I want to be clear this is not a report by Council. It is an independent report delivered by Covey Associates.

“I acknowledge this is a significant cost to ratepayers, but Council unanimously decided it was needed to give locals piece of mind that no stone has been left unturned in trying to find a way to preserve the significance of this place.”

The Mayor said the report will be publicly available online as soon as it’s been considered by Council on Wednesday.

Suttons Beach Pavilions Preservation Group (SBPPG) President Jodie Starr said: “We appreciate getting an advance copy of this report and will go through the 600 pages in detail.

“Importantly we are pleased it will be publicly available in full after that meeting.

“The slideshow of images we saw today showing the extent of damage and the visuals were heartbreaking, but SBPPG remains committed to our cause and what comes next.

“We remain focussed on the outcome and what the future of the site will be, specifically that there should be a permanent building at this location and in an art deco style.

“We will also be hoping to see some of the original site or original brickwork retained in recognition of the history of this site.”

Ms Starr said SBPPG looked forward to Council doing a business case around the costs and options for repairing or rebuilding at Suttons Beach.

She said SBPPG agreed there needs to be public consultation and would “like to see that as soon as possible”.

The Mayor said: “Depending on the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting, I would hope we can have more information about construction costs publicly available by the end of March.

“Obviously we will then need to consult with the community around project designs, costs, and what people want to see happen at this popular location on our waterfront.”

A community engagement survey conducted in May 2022 about the long-term future of Suttons Beach Park found:

• Redcliffe Peninsula residents have a strong connection to the pavilion buildings.
• Residents from around the Moreton Bay region have a connection to the broader Suttons Beach precinct.
• There is general support for either restoring (rectify/refurbish) the existing pavilion buildings or building new structures that reflect the original 1930s building design and support the functions of accessing food and drink services, enjoying the natural surrounds and social activities.
• There was strong support on the site for such as public toilets, places to buy food and drink, grass and shade for picnics, picnic tables, barbecues, replacement buildings and retaining the rotunda.