Hi Beach Lovers, 

The WSLSC redevelopment proposes to demolish much of the historic hall, take a large chunk of the carpark and extend the 'Member's Only Fence' without significantly improving public facilities.

Now Hobsons Bay City Council's Heritage Report has been revealed under Freedom of Information laws. 

They tried to keep it secret - hidden from the public AND THEIR OWN MEMBERS.

The Westsider Newspaper applied for the report and received a copy last week.

The heritage report clearly states (more than once) that the redevelopment plan “does not meet heritage policy or guidelines and is not supported in its current form”. 

The heritage report also states:

"The partial demolition and change in form to the 1935 clubhouse is contrary to heritage policy and guidelines. It involves demolition of the western part of the clubhouse including removal of its two hipped roofs and interior service spaces. 

"The whole of the 1935 building is of primary significance so this demolition involves the removal of fabric of primary significance.

"It also distorts the historical record in that the clubhouse will appear as if it was always in this diminished form.

"The architectural design of the clubhouse will be altered and it will appear as a much smaller building instead of reflecting the historical importance of Williamstown Beach during the Interwar period in its scale and design."

HBCC's heritage consultant, architect Helen Lardner, has over 30 years experience as a heritage expert in Victoria.

A site inspection was first carried out in October 2022 and a report with an initial set of heritage guidelines was delivered that included:

• Retention of the whole of the original extent of the clubhouse is necessary.
• The pool is of lower heritage significance as it was constructed later.

The subsequent development plans ignored the initial heritage report, leaving the heritage consultant to conclude:

At this stage a full heritage assessment of the proposal has not been undertaken as it does not meet heritage policy or guidelines and is not supported in its current form. A further detailed review will be undertaken if required.

The extent of demolition and external alterations to the 1935 clubhouse, including the removal of a substantial amount of fabric of primary significance is a major heritage concern. It will distort understanding of the historical form and scale of the clubhouse.

The proposed addition is too visually dominant in scale and massing in relation to the historic clubhouse and heritage precinct HO5.

There is a lack of analysis of the impact of the proposal on both the setting of the clubhouse and key viewlines within HO5, including the impact of the patrol building in the southeast corner of the site.

They tried to keep this report secret - hidden from the public AND THEIR OWN MEMBERS.

Please share our petition to ensure our voice is heard and this outrageous redevelopment is stopped.

https://www.change.org/WilliamstownBeachRedevelopment

Thanks

Jason