A report will be put before Wollongong Council this Monday, calling on Councillors to accept the tender so work can begin on the refurbishment of Austinmer Bathers Pavillion.
Council says the 92 year old building needs a makeover, and requires work to achieve accessibility standards.
Almost a million dollars will be spent on the pavillion, involving the construction of new internal walls to create a unisex accessible amenity, which includes an adult change table and hoist.
All toilet doors will also be replaced, there will be new shower and toilet fixtures and fittings, the timber benches inside and outside will be refurbished (and re-used) and the facility will be painted.
The scope of works posted on Council’s website includes the following:-
- Structural rectification to all concrete structures including repair existing cracks, spalling and damaged reinforcement bars, including installation of sacrificial anodes
- Replacement of existing fixtures and fittings (taps, shower heads, toilets etc) in existing locations throughout the building
- Cutting a penetration in the front façade and installing a door
- New concrete non-structural internal walls to house a new AS1428.1 compliant amenity facility
- Construction of a new accessible toilet, shower, basin, adult change table, system hoist and baby change table
- New screed bed to the external front pavement area to provide level access to the new accessibly amenity
- New concrete cap to full length of existing balustrade to bring to a complying height
- Removal of all existing painted surfaces including new paint throughout including reuse of existing timber bench seats
- Relocation of four (4) existing showers
- Steel roof and timber frame replacement
- Temporary amenities during the construction period
- Traffic and pedestrian management
The new accessible amenity is in line with Council adopting the Beach and Foreshore Access Strategy which identified four priority beaches, (one of which is Austinmer Beach) due to the region’s popularity with locals and visitors, the range of existing facilities and the accessible gradients connecting the carpark and foreshore promenade.
A community consultation program was held late last year, attracting 26 responses.
There were concerns adding a door to the front of the building would impact on the look of the building, however Council says it’s not currently listed as a heritage item, however it is currently being considered for inclusion as part of the city-wide Heritage Review.
Other community concerns included the loss of bench space to make way for the accessible toilet, with the benches a popular meeting spot for the local community. Council says two meters of this space will be lost on the exterior of the building.
The report to council calls for Batman Constructions Pty Ltd to be engaged to carry out the job.
Temporary facilities will be in place while the work is carried out. 
1 comment
I can’t believe you would make people with a disability enter and leave the toilet in full view of the entire beach. Why not have fluro flashing lights showing when the toilet is occupied as well. And this is the decision after consultation?? Did you consult with the people who would be using the facility?? Also how often will it be used to warrant taking out one of the best views in the Illawarra?? It’s just like when they put the toilet block on bald hill! Oh dear.