Posted: 1st March 2023
Suttons Beach Pavilion is one of the most iconic buildings on the Redcliffe Peninsula. It is much-loved by residents and visitors alike and is a highly sought-after venue for a meal, a drink and fish and chips on the beach with the kids.
It has always been there for people and makes a day (or evening) at Suttons Beach a real event. A beautiful Art Deco style building, it is known not just for its beauty, but for its range of hospitality offerings locally, nationally, and internationally. It truly is a local icon.
With the release of the Covey Report we have learned sadly that buildings, no matter how well loved, have a finite life and maintenance can only address so much in the passage of time. Sadly, add to this a history of lack of maintenance from successive councils over a number of years and the Pavilion is indeed in a sorry state.
Suttons Beach Pavilion Preservation Group member Bruce Carter was given an advance copy of the 600-page Covey report last week and says, “in my opinion this report is a complete and accurate assessment of the Pavilion’s condition. It outlines all the testing process and results of a thorough building condition investigation as well as providing detailed options for how issues found can be rectified to become code compliant. Although almost anything can be fixed with enough money, it is up to Council to consider whether this would be the best use of public funds, given the risk of several still unknown factors. This is Council’s difficult decision to make and, having now met with them several times to discuss The Pavilion, I do believe council really does want to achieve the best outcome.”
Whilst today’s council vote makes it inevitable that we may lose this building to the ravages of time and the ocean environment, what is not inevitable is the loss of its amenity. The Suttons Beach Pavilion Protection Group (SBPPG) has made it clear to MBRC that if our Pavilion must be rebuilt, then an Art Deco replica should be built as a direct replacement providing the community the same range of hospitality offerings that have made this venue sought-after and famous. It is what is needed to breathe some life back into the Suttons Beach precinct.
Jodie Starr, President of the SBPPG, said 'This building is a part of us. When it is rebuilt then it is essential that future generations understand the important role that this building played in the development of the cultural, recreational and hospitality dimensions of the Peninsula. 'The Community should expect an appropriate historical feature with interpretive material that covers off the Pavilion's rich history and incorporates elements of the current building in its design'.
We can't lose this beautiful building - we'd all be devastated.' she said. We should now look forward to the next chapter in the history of this site, with a beautifully designed Art Deco Pavilion style building with a clear connection to its history.
The Suttons Beach Pavilion has been an enormously important part of Redcliffe and its growth. During the war years and right up to today it has played a valuable part in our history and quite frankly, I can't even begin to imagine life without this reminder of who and what we are'. she said.
'We have worked hard to ensure that Council is fully aware of what this building means to our community and that we want it to remain, either as it is or as a faithful replica, so that generations to come will know who we are and what we value.' she said. We believe that Council has been listening to the community and has been willing to take our views and comments on board. We do believe they are working on options and designs which the Community will be happy with, and we look forward to seeing those options in coming weeks.’
The MBRC have a critical decision to make on our behalf and we all hope that, if this beautiful building must be replaced then its future will be the same as the successes of similar buildings such as the Pavilions at Kirra, Caloundra, St Kilda and Bondi, where the community was closely involved in their repair and reconstruction .This is an enormous opportunity for the MBRC to demonstrate to the community that they care and they value the buildings that we all hold in trust for future generations.' she said. And we need to make sure that lessons have been learnt about the importance of maintenance of our beautiful buildings. This should apply to all our treasured old buildings and not just the Pavilion.
Yours sincerely,
Jodie Starr
President- Suttons Beach Pavilion Preservation Group Inc.
Watch the Channel 7 News Report below 👇🏻
IF YOU WANT TO READ COVEY REPORT FILES- SEE BELOW;
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