Albany Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment approaches final hurdle as council prepares to consider new lease

One of the final hurdles that needs to be cleared before the redevelopment of the Albany Surf Life Saving Club can start will come before a City of Albany committee next week. The proposed redevelopment requires the club to be given the lease of an area that extends beyond its current agreement which, if unchanged, would run until 2031. The report prepared for the Community and Corporate Service Committee recommends that the ASLSC be granted a new 21-year lease for an area of about 2,194sqm — about 93sqm larger than the existing area. The council provided in-principle support for the expansion project in July, including a maximum in-kind contribution of $100,000 for project management and a budgeted financial contribution of $300,000 for the works. Plans for the development, prepared by H&H Architects, were reviewed and agreed upon by the City and the ASLSC, and formed part of the development application which was formally approved this month. As part of the development application process, the community was given an opportunity to comment on the plans in October. The report says if a new lease is approved, construction of the ASLSC redevelopment is expected to start in March, “towards the end of the surf club season, to minimise the impact on the club and the wider community”. The report also states if the council does not agree to grant the new lease, the proposed redevelopment may not progress, “with funding opportunities put at risk”. The full council will consider the committee’s final recommendation at its ordinary meeting, scheduled for December 13.