Warren Smith
Elouera Surf Life Saving Club has received council approval to build a cafe.
The deck on the northern side of the clubhouse will be extended to provide the basis for a sun-drenched cafe with seating for 40 people.
A new storage facility will be built below the cafe.
Club president Warren Smith said the deck would extend across a grass area to the edge of the driveway.
Mr Smith said work would begin shortly on the first stage, which was to extend the deck, build a shell for the cafe and construct another much-needed storage area below.
“The second stage will be to get a little cafe up and running,” he said.
“We have got funding for stage one, but will need additional funding to complete stage two.”
Mr Smith said it was possible the cafe could be completed for next summer.
He said it had been about 10 years since the kiosk at Elouera beach closed, and there had been many requests for the club to install a cafe.
”It is in our Plan of Management with the council and there will be no change to the footprint,” he said.
A statement of environmental effects, in the development application approved by Sutherland Shire Council, said floor space for upper and lower levels would increase by 359 square metres to a total of 1960 square metres.
It was proposed the cafe operate in daylight hours.
Elouera Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1966, the clubhouse was built two years later and was substantially modified in 2004 / 2005 to create a commercial restaurant tenancy.
The existing upper level consists of a caretaker’s apartment, Summer Salt restaurant and surf club members’ lounge area, which is also hired for private functions.
The environmental statement said beach management and the provision of safe swimming conditions and surf training and awareness, particularly through Nippers, were the key services of surf clubs such as Elouera.
”Various facilities are therefore required at surf clubs including training and storage rooms,” it said.
“To support the provision of these services, surf clubs have increasingly sought to be more self sufficient by operating commercial ventures including restaurants and cafes.
“This occurs at Elouera and is consistent with the Plan of Management.”
