Redcliffe residents have stepped up to save the iconic Suttons Beach Pavilion, starting an online petition in a bid to halt demolition of the 85-year-old building by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
The locals say the decision to boot the popular pavilion’s cafe tenants just as the hospitality sector looks to recover from a devastating two years battling COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions is simply unacceptable.
“Moreton Bay Regional Council, the landlord of Suttons Beach Pavilion has taken the decision to demolish the Pavilion,” a residents group said in a statement.
“They will be closing their doors after six years in February 2022. They have continued trading through the toughest of times during COVID-19 and now this is being taken away from them just like that!”
“This is absolutely devastating for the community. This place has been an iconic part of Redcliffe since 1930’s. Don’t let them take the building away that’s brought so many of us amazing memories and special events. Specially without any reason at all. Is money the only thing that our council cares about these days?”
A petition launched on change.org has so far garnered more than 12,000 signatures.
Council recently announced it had made the “difficult decision” to close down and demolish the Suttons Beach Pavilion after three separate structural engineering reports revealed major building defects.
Two further heritage investigations also concluded that the building’s historical values had been eroded by redevelopments over the last 80 years, Council said in a statement.
Mayor Peter Flannery said it had been a unanimous decision in the interests of public safety, accountability and transparency in decision making.
“I can assure you the decision to proceed towards demolition has not been taken lightly,” he said.
“Council commissioned independent consultants to undertake inspections and advise on the outcome of these inspections. These investigations found extensive building defects, design and construction legacies, deteriorating buildings, with concrete elements to the Suttons Beach Pavilion nearing their end of their life leading to major safety concerns of the buildings.”
In a small win for the local residents protesting the demolition decision, the Council has now brought forward a community engagement plan to begin on February 11.
“I encourage everyone to read the reports we’ve made public so you can be an informed participant in this program,” Mayor Flannery said.
“There’s one important outstanding factor you’ll note in reading the reports, and that’s a recommendation to undertake invasive testing of the structure once the tenant vacates the building.
“This will involve the removal of fixtures and fittings inside the building, to drill into the concrete and identify the extent of the damage that’s been done over the years.
“We acknowledge that this investigation will be an expensive undertaking for ratepayers, but Council has decided it’s important to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that everyone knows all the factors and costs at play in trying to save this worn-out building.
“We know already that we are battling a combination of issues including concrete cancer, along with design and construction legacies from years ago that haven’t held up in the harsh marine environment.
“There’s accelerated internal degradation, water is getting into the foundations, and there’s no guarantee that any repair will save it.”
He said while the Pavilion wasn’t on the Queensland Heritage Register, both heritage reports show the cliff face stairs were in near original condition and Council was “absolutely committed to preserving those”.
“I want to assure residents we’ve done everything we can to explore all alternative options, this isn’t something we rushed into, and I encourage everyone to read the reports online.”
Council has agreed to preserve the Suttons Beach rotunda.
“This has become an icon of the Peninsula like the Woody Point Jetty and Redcliffe Jetty, and given that the rotunda doesn’t have the same structural issues as Pavilion 1, I believe it can be saved,” said Councillor Karl Winchester.
“It’s critical that we maintain the Suttons Beach area as a useable community space, and we want the community’s input on how we can best activate this precinct for the public.
“Personally I’d like to see this area used by families and visitors with space for pop-up events and community activities.
In a heartfelt message to their many customers, the Suttons Beach Pavilion management team of Sandra, Oli and Darren expressed their thanks to everyone who had shown them support since news broke of the demolition plan.
“We have loved creating this varied and popular destination for our local community, and tourists alike and are deeply shocked and saddened that the Pavilion, which holds so many fond memories for the community, has to close,” they said.
“We cannot express our grief deeply enough over the loss of jobs to our dedicated staff and our loyal and supportive customers, including the many who have celebrated their special life events with us.
“We cannot thank you enough for all the fantastic support and great times we have shared since we first opened the doors. We have been welcomed into this amazing community with open arms.”
The Pavilion is set to close at the end of February.
“Council will not extend or renew the lease beyond this agreed end date,” the Mayor said.
To read the engineering and heritage reports visit: https://yoursay.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/suttons-beach-public-space
To add your signature to the petition to save the iconic beach pavilion, click here.
