A much-loved 1930s beach pavilion on Brisbane’s northside will be pulled down after a damning report found it to be crumbling beyond repair and too costly to save.
Moreton Bay Regional Council voted to demolish the Art Deco Suttons Beach Pavilion at Redcliffe after the 600-page report found it would cost more than $16 million to resurrect.
The council also instructed its chief executive to analyse options for replacing the buildings, with the report due to be tabled at next month’s meeting.
A year of public campaigning to save the original building came to an end on Wednesday, when the council voted it was too costly to preserve the white stucco structure.
The building was earmarked for demolition in 2021, triggering the campaign after a cafe owner tenant was forced to close.
However, public outrage to save the art deco building were put on hold when the damning independent consultant report, documenting the structural integrity of the building, was handed to Moreton Bay Regional Council.
The Suttons Beach Pavilion will be demolished after incurable concrete cancer was found throughout the buildings which had not been maintained.
The contents of the report, by engineering firm Covey Associates, were finally revealed at the council meeting on Wednesday, when the way forward for the beach pavilion was decided.
Mayor Peter Flannery delivered the sad news that the building had incurable concrete cancer and would have to be demolished
“The report concludes that the building has reached the end of its life and does not comply with modern building standards, outlining numerous, complex, and extensive defects to the building,” he said.
“It finds that the internal structural damage is so bad that even rectification works would necessitate demolition of the pavilion building to even allow partial reconstruction, due to significant water ingress and some concrete cancer.
“I want to be clear that this is not a report by Council.
“I acknowledge that this is a significant cost to ratepayers, but Council decided it was needed to give locals peace of mind that no stone has been left unturned in trying to find a way to preserve the significance of this place.”
Sutton Beach Pavilion Preservation Group president Jodie Starr, who has led the vigorous campaign to save the building, was given a copy of the confidential document ahead of the council meeting.
A major community campaign was held to save the pavilion at Suttons Beach.
Ms Starr said she hoped some of the brick facade would be kept for a permanent art deco-style building on the beach front.
“Sadly, it would seem that the pavilion is indeed in very bad shape,” she said.
“But it is clear to us that there is commitment there to restore or rebuild, and the council is very aware that timescales need to be as short as possible, while striking a balance to ensure there is adequate consultation,” she said.
“The mayor committed to meet with us at every stage in the process going forward, and we committed to make that time available.
“We had constructive dialogue about building options, and we are really looking forward to a good outcome for us all.”
The council will now prepare a business case outlining the costs and options to replace the pavilion along with planning further public consultation.
A community engagement survey in May 2022 found strong support for restoring, rectifying or refurbishing the existing pavilion buildings.
There was also support for building new structures that reflected the original 1930s design but also included a restaurant or food outlet taking advantage of the position.
There was also support for public toilets, picnic spots and retaining a rotunda used as the backdrop for many wedding photos.