Project Update - April 2026

Construction works continued to progress well across the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facilities Project throughout April.

Focus during the month was on completing major substructure works, including the foundation, in‑ground services, and seawall elements.

Key achievements this period:

  • Substructure works to the main building significantly progressed.
  • In‑ground services works are progressing as planned.
  • Lift pit construction completed and waterproofed.
  • Seawall works continued.
  • Electrical substation delivered to site and, detailing excavation and footing works for substation commenced.

Upcoming works in May 2026:

  • Progress seawall construction works.
  • Continued structural works to the main building, including concrete slab pours.
  • Finalisation of remaining in‑ground services.
  • Complete detailing excavation and footing works for substation and run submains from building to Bronte Road.

Construction works continued to progress well across the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facilities Project throughout March.

Key bulk earthworks are now complete, with activity focused on piling, in‑ground services, seawall works, and statutory approvals to support the next stages of construction.

Key achievements this period:

  • Bulk and fill works completed
  • Bulk excavation and seawall works continued in line with the program
  • In‑ground hydraulic works commenced
  • Ausgrid light poles on site disconnected and temporary lighting installed
  • New site hoarding installed
  • S4.55 Modification approval received for minor modifications
  • Section 73 works completed for connection to Sydney Water infrastructure

Upcoming works in April 2026:

  • Completion of stairs and bleachers as part of the seawall construction, including installation of handrails
  • Continued substructure works
  • Ongoing in‑ground services installation
  • Commencement of electrical substation installation works

Work has progressed across the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facilities project throughout February. With demolition and early‑stage works now complete, construction activity has moved into seawall completion, piling, and preparation for the main building structure.

Key achievements this period:

  • Screw piling works for the seawall completed
  • Seawall concrete pours underway
  • Rock breaking commenced
  • Light pole conduits installed
  • Piling works commenced for the main building
  • Pile cap reinforcement commenced
  • Sydney Water connection requirements progressing

Upcoming works in March 2026:

  • Continued seawall concrete pours
  • Ongoing rock breaking and excavation refinement
  • Continued pile cap reinforcement and pouring
  • Installation of in‑ground services
  • Site preparation works, including steel and formwork for the ground slab

Work has continued steadily on the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facilities project throughout January. Most early‑stage works are now complete, and the site is being prepared for the next phase of construction.

Key achievements this period:

  • Completion of Surf Life Saving Club demolition
  • Completion of asbestos removal and disposal
  • Completion of bulk excavation including excavation into the rock wall
  • Seawall construction works in progress
  • Preparation of piling platform

Upcoming works in February 2026:

  • Seawall construction continuing
  • Piling for the Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club and public amenities building
  • Installation of in-ground services
  • Site preparation works, steel and formwork for the ground slab

Council is pleased to report strong progress on the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facility Project.

Following site establishment, key achievements are:

  • Completion of the temporary facility
  • Commencement of sea wall piling works
  • Start of major construction
  • Commencement of club house and facilities demolition

As part of the ongoing design development, a Section 4.55(1) minor modification application has been lodged for the project.

This application reflects design refinements identified during detailed design, including minor internal layout adjustments to improve fire safety and updates to some proposed materials to enhance long-term maintenance.

Importantly, these changes do not alter the building size, height or intended use, or community and BSLSC member benefits.

You can view details of the proposal DA-455/2022/B, including supporting documents on Council’s website via the DA Tracker by using the Applications enquiry tab. The development application will be notified for 28 days as required under the Schedule 1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 No 203. Submissions should be emailed to dasubmissions@waverley.nsw.gov.au

Council is pleased to announce the appointment of head contractor Belmadar Pty Ltd to deliver the final detailed design and construction phases of the project.

Early site investigations and the establishment of temporary facilities located in the park to the South of the existing building will commence in May 2025. The temporary facilities will include public amenities and accommodation for Councils’ Lifeguard service, Open Space team and the surf club operations. The area will be enclosed by hoarding while the installation is taking place. Once constructed, the hoarding around the temporary facilities area will be removed and the area will re-open to the community to enable access to the new facilities.

Following the relocation of the club and council teams from the existing building demolition of the building will commence in the coming months. This will require that an area of the park and beach immediately to the south of the existing building be enclosed by hoarding to provide a safe work zone for construction during delivery.

The coastal walkway will be redirected around the site while construction takes place, the coastal walk will be re-opened to the community as soon as practical.

At its completion the new Bronte Surf Club and community building project will provide:

  • New public amenities
  • New Lifeguard facilities which provide improved beach views for additional beach and surf safety
  • A new kiosk providing light refreshments for visitors and locals
  • A new surf club building supporting volunteer lifesaving facilities to support community activities to improve beach safety, wellbeing and community connection
  • New facilities for Council’s open space team to allow for effective maintenance and cleansing across Bronte Park and Beach
  • Expanded public domain open space through the construction of a green roof
  • A new sea wall to provide protection for the coast walk, building and beach
  • Additional public domain improvements including the building forecourt, access road and pathway connections providing improved access to the beachfront

We look forward to welcoming the community back to the fantastic newly upgraded building in 2027 and are proud to be delivering a transformative project for the residents and visitors to Bronte Beach in addition to surf club members.

Detailed Design and Procurement

Since achieving DA approval in April 2024 we have been developing the detailed design for the project and undertaking a two stage procurement process. In April 2024 an Expression of Interest process was run to shortlist suitable construction contractors. A Request For Tender process has now been undertaken and Council will consider the tender outcomes in November 2024.

DA Approved

The revised Development Application (DA) for Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facilities [DA-455/2022] was approved by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel on 11 April 2024.

We are delighted that the project has reached this milestone and look forward to working in partnership with Bronte SLSC and architects Warren and Mahoney to see the new building and facilities come to life.

Waverley Council also congratulates Bronte SLSC for securing $1 million in grant funding for the redevelopment from the NSW Government. MEDIA RELEASE

Council is working closely with Warren and Mahoney to have the detailed design package go out to tender in the last quarter of 2024, with a view to commence onsite work in late 2024.

To view the DA and related documents go to Council's DA Tracker and enter in the DA number above.
For enquiries please email majorprojects@waverley.nsw.gov.au

There are three members of the Surf Club and three Council Officers working on the development of the Surf Club.

Council entered into Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) with Bronte, Bondi, North Bondi and Tamarama Surf Lifesaving Clubs for refurbishments to each of the club buildings.

The Sydney Eastern Planning Panel assessed the revised DA that was submitted in October 2022 and approved it on 11 April 2024. The DA [DA-455/2022] and it's relevant documents can be viewed on Council's online DA tracker: https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/da

The estimated cost of the total project is $32.349 million. This now reflects the inclusion of the seawall and public domain upgrades within the project cost, with the split being circa $23.65m for the building component and circa $8.7m for the public domain works. The increase in the building component from previous estimates is due to the necessary design changes, which were made in response to feedback from the planning authority on the matters listed below, along with actual market pricing.

  • Connection to country
  • Accessibility requirements
  • Coastal inundation and storm surge mitigation

Councils funding contribution to the project cost, comprising of both building and public domain costs is $24.754 million

Bronte SLSC, the not-for-profit building tenant, will contribute $7.596 million through its own contributions and Federal, State, and Surf Life Saving Australia grants.

This arrangement has now been formalised in a Project Agreement between Council and Bronte SLSC.

Timeline of Bronte Surf Club and Community Facilities Upgrade design and consultation process