Suttons Beach Pavilion update: See the gallery

A meeting between Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery, Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway and Councillor Karl Winchester and the Suttons Beach Pavilions Preservation Group has confirmed the group’s intention to work with Council on the future of the Suttons Beach Precinct and Pavilion.

Mayor Flannery says engineering investigations are continuing and are the most comprehensive of the many already undertaken by Council and will inform Council’s decision for the site.

“The consultants have drilled into the concrete and footings to determine the extent of the damage that’s been done over the years,” he says.

“The erosion of the cliff-face behind the building and water getting into the foundations is also being examined to understand the building’s ongoing structural integrity and safety impacts.”

Mid-point for investigation

Mayor Flannery says consultants are halfway through their investigations and the information so far is that there is significant deterioration of the buildings’ structural elements, sustainability and safety.

“This further investigation is an expensive exercise for ratepayers and Council is working hard to understand and explore all the options for this iconic building and the wider public space.

“Once the final investigations are complete, we expect to provide the detail to the community in early 2023.”

With Petrie Federal LNP MP Luke Howarth unable to deliver on his Federal election promise of funding to repair or rebuild since the ALP took government, a Council spokesman says the $2.2 million in Council’s Budget won’t be enough  and support from other levels of government would be sought.

Due diligence

SBPPG president Jodie Starr thanked Council for honouring its commitment to commission the investigative testing and says members are looking forward to seeing all the details.

“The Council is doing its due diligence, they are taking the sentiments of our members on board, and they have responded to our concerns,” she says.

“Importantly, Council approved an initial $2.2 million in June’s 2022-23 Budget to repair or rebuild this important piece of our history and it’s reassuring that they’ve literally put their money where their mouth is here.

“We asked for this to be an open and honest discussion and Council is delivering the kind of transparency we wanted.”

See the gallery

Jodie says the group is looking forward to working with Council to ensure members’ interests in the pavilion’s future are represented and to an outcome that will either return the iconic building to its former glory or replace it with a similar structure.

Cr Winchester says the precinct has long been an iconic site for Moreton Bay residents and visitors in South East Queensland.

“We know our locals love this space, and it’s also popular with our neighbouring visitors and we want that to continue,” he says.

Cr Winchester says while the building inspection report is being completed, Council has organised food trucks and coffee vans to ensure families continue to visit, enjoy and activate the space.

“Personally, I’d like to see this area in the interim used more frequently by families and visitors with space for events and community activities.”

The older pavilion, used originally as change rooms and a kiosk for beach-goers, has been altered significantly since it was first built in 1937, and the second pavilion was built 20 years ago.

Council undertook a heritage assessment of the site in late 2018, which was revised in February 2021.

The findings found very little of the original pavilion building had survived over time.

The original external staircase to the west of the pavilions is of high significance, being in almost original condition, with its inclusion on the heritage register recommended for consideration.

Find previous engineering and heritage reports here.