Surf club captain Rob Deacon was happy to announce Coledale RSL would host the music event on the second Friday of each month from February 9.

“We’re going to be promoting original and local music,” Mr Deacon told the Illawarra Mercury. 

“And hopefully in about three years we’re going to have a new Bombie Bar built.”

Noise complaints forced Wollongong City Council to ban the popular social event from being held at the surf club in December 2016 after five years of existence. This decision was made despite proceeds from the gathering going directly to the club and funding surf rescue equipment.

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Council also found the club did not have development approval for the building to operate in that capacity and would need significant renovations to get it up to scratch.

Bombie events have been sporadic over the past 12 months meaning extra funding to put towards the building improvements – and life saving operations – weren’t guaranteed.

Mr Deacon said the club would also apply for government grants to help with the works, which would see a new downstairs function area that included disabled access.

For five years the surf club held concerts on Sundays between 1pm and 5.30pm, with local and well known musicians such as Thirsty Merc performing. 

The number of events was reduced in 2016 to the first Sunday of the month following noise complaints and eventually banned altogether. In 2017 Anita’s Theatre and Stanwell Park CWA Hall were used for several “pop up” Bombie events though not secured on a regular basis.

Surf Life Saving NSW has previously said they would support Coalcliff SLSC if they decided to upgrade or extend the existing building to meet council approval.

“There are a number of grant programs which can assist clubs to upgrade, in particular the NSW Government’s $2M Surf Club Facility Development Program,” Ms Wishart said.

“In some cases clubs have been able to upgrade clubhouse function rooms, kitchens and so on which then allows them to derive income from hall hire which gives many clubs much-needed revenue for new rescue equipment, first aid supplies and so on.”

Reggae funk band Garfish will headline the first of the Bombie Pop Up series at Coledale RSL on February 9. Any musicians wanting to apply to perform should contact Mr Deacon via The Bombie’s Facebook page.