WindanSea Surf Club president Terry Landsberg says he’s thrilled the club’s application to build a new clubhouse was approved, following a protracted court case.
The Planning and Environment Court has rubber-stamped the proposal for the Currimundi site, despite protests from a group of neighbours who held concerns about noise.
“It’s a magnificent result for our club and the broader community,” Mr Landsberg said.
“As a club, we’ve never had a space where our members and other community groups can meet to enjoy their passion for surfing as well as other community and environmental pursuits.”
The 178m2 clubhouse will be accessible to a number of local groups, including the Caloundra Mal Club, Moffateers, Indigenous Surfing, Disabled Surfing and the two neighbouring schools.
“We now have a place where a range of community groups can meet and grow and there will also be opportunities for small operators to run low-impact classes like yoga and Pilates and other community activities,” Mr Landsberg said.
Club chairman Don Smith said the result was a boost for local youths, club members and the wider public, who have a base where they can pursue their passion for surfing and other community pursuits.
“Over 50 per cent of the club’s membership is juniors with women and girls representing a growing 20 per cent of total membership. A further 30 per cent are males aged over 18 so we have a strong young membership base.
“The clubhouse will help unite and engage the past and present members to support the growing social needs in our local community, particularly with helping to mentor young people.
It’s been an eight-year journey to get a clubhouse.
Mr Smith thanked past president Tom Hindley, planning lawyer Andrew Davis and local planner and club member Brad Williams for their efforts.
The clubhouse will be constructed with $140,000 in funding from the Federal Government, $40,000 from a Sunshine Coast Council grant and about $100,000 in pledges for building materials and labour.
“It’s now time to start building our dream with the community with the aim of commencing construction of our community clubhouse in early 2021,” Mr Smith said.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP was delighted to see the long-awaited community project given the green light.
“The WindanSea Clubhouse will result in benefits, not just to the local surfing community, but to many other community groups and schools such as the Currimundi Special School.”
The WindanSea Surf Club, which has about 145 members, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.
It hosts the one of the longest running competitions, the Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest
