Northern Beaches Council is the second stage of their Mona Vale Beach planned upgrades and is now about to build a huge concrete toilet block and amenities building at Mona Vale's northern corner. 

The plans have been drawn up and people are not really able to visualise just how MASSIVE this building really is...

The above image shows the current toilet block (in the blue outline) and then the proposed two-part building which the Northern Beaches Council has outlined it is looking to build. 

Whilst we appreciate upgrades and the efforts of our council members, unfortunately this plan will completely change the beachfront of Mona Vale FOREVER with a visual impact on the most prime part of the beachfront.

The environmental impacts of this are not to be ignored. North Easterly and Westerly winds which blow sand down towards the pool and northern area of the beach could be greatly affected, potentially re-shaping the beach and surf in ways we're not yet aware of. 

Used by locals and visitors alike since the early 1930s to watch the surf, whales and sun, this will now be dominated by a massive building, blocking views and taking away prime areas for relaxation and recreation.

The DA to the upgrade of the Mona Vale Surf Club, was granted extra space. Meaning the public amenities, like the toilets and the professional Lifeguards have been moved to a new spot, in the prime northern corner of the beach.

The proposed building we believe is far too big. Even on the busiest days of the year this summer, there have been no lines coming from the proven sufficient toilet block, which only has two toilet cubicles and two showers for both men and women.

The solution we support is to minimise it's size, by keeping the favoured outdoor showers, still upgrade and expand the toilets and showers to an extra toilet for both men and women, whilst keeping the building size to the smallest size possible.

There is another set of toilets and family change rooms being added within Apex Park across the road which is yet another reason not to expand with such excess.

Please see more information on this link - https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/MonaValeSLSC/mona-vale-beach-amenities-and-lifeguard-storage

 

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Update 4th of February.

On the 28th of Jan, Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee and the team from Northern Beaches Council, the Lifeguard Association and President of the SLSC for met onsite at Mona Vale near the current toilet block. It great of them to attend and give their time.

This meeting was in response to the first community meeting held there, to go over the revised plans that were created to reduce the imprint of the building they originally proposed (shown in the image above).

They provided plans for a building which has substantially reduced the imprint and brought back views from the north of the amenities block into the up to Warriewood. It is still larger than the current toilet block but a big improvement, opening up views where the outdoor showers currently are.

The main thing that did was remove the unnecessary amount of toilets, still doubling the amount but keeping it as a smaller footprint. Another big saviour was they removed the jetski storage. However the lifeguard viewing area appears that it will remain within the design unfortunately.

To note, the lifeguards and their storage were originally part of the original 2018 October SLSC DA design but since the ‘need for more space for the SLSC’ has been addressed by the Northern Beaches Council with the subsequent amendment to the October 2018 DA, which has removed the lifeguards and the public toilets. It has since become a priority from the SLSC that patrolling the Basin is a priority and hence they need a viewing area at the northern end.

Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee listened to the communities feedback present and wrapped up the meeting with the following bullet points which we have bolded below:

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·       The existing toilets will be rebuilt in line with option 1 (the smaller of the two options presented), ensuring that increased capacity and circulation is met

·       A new lifeguard facility, being either one in line with option 1 or a stand-alone hut, will be built after discussion with Surf Life Saving to ensure best outcome

NB. We responded that we would be in favour of the most minimal impact in size to the beach front area. When we suggested the small landing tower as in the south end (like the simple wooden one currently used next to the flags by the lifeguards), we of course did not consider the details of new OH&S requirements from the Lifeguard’s Association, which might mean an even larger separate build to achieve this.

We also communicated our favoured position (as was vocalised by many present at the meeting), is as per the October 2018 plans of the SLSC which featured the Lifeguards viewing and storage within this building.

·       Council will propose and consult on an additional set of amenities to the south of the Surf Life Saving Club building

NB. We communicated that the petition signee’s favoured position on this would be for them to be reintegrated back into the SLSC as per the original plans presented in the October 2018 DA for the SLSC.

Ideally, if it were possible (although this sounds like it’s not feasible due to the land size given to the SLSC’s rebuild) they would be able to extend the building slightly to the south to make space for these within the building. Failing that, to remove space from a less utilised part of the SLSC build for the greater community, like the SLSC gym for example to make space for public amenities for the greater public.

We also have communicated that we believe perhaps the answer to this is the SLSC members toilet being opened up for everyone in the public. Which works within the footprint of the new SLSC and the amended DA.

Failing these other solutions, creating a building for toilets at the south of the SLSC would be an option, as this is necessity for the public as again noted by the comments via the petition so as to provide safe access for children who would otherwise be required to cross Surfview Rd to reach the nearest alternate toilets that are being newly built within Apex Park.

So yes in failing all other options, it appears the community would support the additional set of amenities at the south end of the SLSC building as a solution to no toilets in the SLSC for the public.

·       The amenities block in Apex Park will continue as planned

NB. We believe this will be a great addition to the for families who use this area with their kids at the play equipment, for people who use the BBQs and for PT sessions that use this space for training and exercise.

·       The Surf Life Saving Club building rebuild will continue to progress as planned

NB. We communicated that it appears to be the wishes of the 900+ people of community from comments on the petition they would strongly support amending the DA:

- To represent the original plans as per October 2018 which included the Lifeguards and their equipment and public toilets/ amenities

- Or to extend the building to provide space for the necessity of public amenities and the Lifeguards reintegration into the building

- Or alternatively, reducing space from what could be considered non-necessities of the new build for the purpose of life-saving, like a reduction in the size of SLSC gym, SLSC amenities etc to make space for the nippers, lifeguards and public toilets that the greater public will use

- Or perhaps sharing the SLSC member amenities / toilets within the building, so they can be used by the greater public and members together

We also communicated that we’re all very excited about the new SLSC it will be fantastic for the community and are thankful to the council and stakeholders for their work in getting this to be a reality.

·       Unfortunately the Council did not update the YourSay page with its planned approach

NB. This would have been an important part of communicating to the council our thoughts on this project.

Thanks again for all your support with the sharing, commenting and signing the petition!

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We thanked the Northern Beaches Council for consulting with the community through this process and reviewing the design. 

These buildings are long term assets that will affect areas that the community will use every day of their lives for the next decade and more so we owe them thanks for enduring to get it right.