Suttons Beach Pavilions Update

Published 23 February 2023

Community campaigners have today been given advance access to the 600-page structural integrity report into the viability of the Suttons Beach Pavilion, following independent invasive testing of the structures. 

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

Mayor Peter Flannery said this was Council delivering on its commitment to transparency in decision making and accountability to the community. 

“With the invasive and non-invasive testing of the building now 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 that there’s no secrecy or miscommunication about its findings,” he said. 

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

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

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

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

“The report will be publicly available as soon as it’s been considered by Council, so I encourage everyone who is interested to get online Wednesday to see all those details yourself.” 

Suttons Beach Pavilions Preservation Group (SBPPG) President Jodie Starr thanked Council for keeping the community involved in this process. 

“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,” she said. 

“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.

“So we look forward to Council doing a business case around the costs and options for repairing or rebuilding at Suttons Beach and agree there needs to be public consultation around this and we’d like to see that as soon as possible.    

“We asked the Council to do their due diligence, which they have, and it’s clear to us they have rightly taken the sentiments of our community on board so far.” 

Mayor Flannery said he hoped to have more information for the community before the end of March, so community consultation can commence on a way forward. 

“I don’t want our community to be left in limbo on this,” he 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
  • Public toilets 
  • Places to purchase food and drink 
  • Social amenities (grass and shade for picnics, picnic tables, BBQs) 
  • Council spending ratepayers’ money on constructing replacement buildings 
  • Retaining the rotunda.
• The rotunda is valued, and the community wants to see its attributes retained. 

View the Suttons Beach independent report.

Learn more about the Suttons Beach public space project.