Update
The way has been cleared for a $12 million redevelopment of the St George Sailing Club at Sans Souci.
Bayside Planning Panel unanimously approved the development application (DA), paving the way for the old building, jetties and decks to be demolished within months and replaced.
The new development will include a single storey club with surrounding decks, jetty and pontoon and a separate single-storey building that will look like a row of quaint, old boatsheds for the storage of skiffs and small craft.
The planning panel said both it and Bayside Council's design advisory panel considered the design to be of high quality.
The proposal "will result in a modest, well designed building that is substantially more attractive than the existing building," the published decision said.
"The panel notes that council's environmental staff have advised the proposed development will not have adverse environmental impacts."
Earlier
After almost sinking beneath the waves under the weight of crippling financial losses, the historic St George Sailing Club is on the verge of a bright new era.
A decision is expected within weeks on a $12 million redevelopment proposal, which promises much for the sailing fraternity in the area as well as the wider community.
If approval is given the club, which is located on the eastern side of Captain Cook Bridge, will close about August and the old building, jetties and decks will be demolished and replaced.
In their place will be a new single storey club with surrounding decks, jetty and pontoon and a separate single-storey building that will look like a row of quaint, old boatsheds for the storage of skiffs and small craft.
The club expects to reopen with its new facilities next year.
Bayside Council Planning Panel will determine the development application (DA) following assessment by council planning officers.
The DA said the existing building was in a state of disrepair, structurally unsound, unsightly and did not meet access requirements.
"The existing building has been subject to numerous ad hoc additions over many decades and has recently been condemned due to the irreversible deterioration of its substructure, with the exception of a small part of the existing substructure that is intact," the DA stated.
The club said the proposed project would enhance the foreshore and "celebrate the continuity of maritime activities in this location".
Founded in 1897, St George Sailing Club was originally located further along the Georges River, but was relocated eastward to make way for the construction of Captain Cook Bridge, which opened in 1965.
In 2010-11, the club went into administration following losses made by the licensed club.
It emerged from administration some months later as a satellite of the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club.
Club manager John Tsambouniaris said "a builder has been chosen and we are ready to go once a decision is made".
"Hopefully, we are in the building stage in the next three months," Mr Tsambouniaris said.
"Everyone has worked extraordinarily hard to get it to this point - we are 98 per cent of the way there."
As the club occupies leasehold land owned by the Roads and Maritime Service, permission was needed - and was granted - to apply for redevelopment.
The new club building will be only one storey, compared with one and two levels in the existing building.
On advice from a coastal engineering consultant, the floor of the building will be elevated from the present level in response to both anticipated flood levels and sea level rise.
The DA said a public information night was held in 2018 and the club asked for feedback and comments, including any concerns the community may have about the proposal.
"No major concerns were raised by the community and feedback has been positive," the DA said.
"Overall, the community has been supportive of the change and improvements to the venue and local residents noted that they are looking forward to a more positive relationship with the site and its operators."
The DA said the rigging deck would be publicly accessible at all times, creating a connection between the beach areas at either side.
The club building will include sliding doors and bi-fold screens to the decks and verandahs that will have retractable sun shading and wind screening as required.
The building will be naturally ventilated except for the function and gaming rooms, which will be air conditioned only when required by climatic conditions.
"The proposal reduces the mass of the existing building and no intensification of the existing operation/use is proposed," the DA said.
