Beaches along the Wollongong coast line will benefit from a $2 million council spending spree, as the city rushes to upgrade beach infrastructure and three failing surf club buildings ahead of next summer.
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At Monday night's online council meeting, Wollongong councillors will considered four sets of tenders benefitting projects near Coledale, Bulli, Woonona, Bellambi and Port Kembla beaches.
Most urgent, according to the council are upgrades to the three surf clubs - Bellambi, Coledale and Woonona, which have corroded roofs which now leak and need replacing before next season.
The costs for these have not been outlined, and the council is recommending they not be put out for the normal tender process as it tries to rush the work through.
"The Bellambi Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) facility roof has deteriorated and requires replacement," the council sais.
"This work is considered urgent as the roof has begun to leak in recent rainfall events," the council said.
"The building also currently has no disabled facilities and a design has been prepared which incorporates a unisex accessible amenity within a refurbishment of the male/female amenities area."
Similarly, the roof on the Coledale Surf Life Saving Club has corroded and has leaked during recent storms and the roof on the Woonona Surf Life Saving Club requires refurbishment due to its age and location.
To fix this quickly, staff have asked councillors to skip public tenders and instead seek formal quotations from building contractors with experience, which will half the time it takes to award the works contract.
"We may be able to either fully complete the works or significantly reduce the impact on the surf clubs at the beginning of the summer surf season," staff said.
Staff have also recommended councilllors approve a $564,000 contract to refurbish a toilet block at Bulli Beach tourist park which "has reached the end of its serviceable life, with the roof beginning to leak due to significant corroding of the roof sheets".
The building is also not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Under the staff proposal, Davone Constructions Pty Ltd would complete the work, including the installation of a DDA compliant path, new fence and gate, roof replacement, replacement of all internal fixtures and fittings that are energy efficient and the installation of two water tanks connected to the toilets to minimise water consumption.
This project will be funded from the 2019/20 and 2020/21 budgets.
A third tender report recommends acceptance of a $340,000 contract for the rehabilitation of Embankment Scours - Kurraba Road, Woonona.
Finally, staff say councillors should accept the $434,000 tender of Dynamic Civil Pty Ltd for the construction of a Port Kembla Beach Viewing Platform.
Funded by the $400,000 NSW Government Grant through the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund, this will provide a meeting place and a further visitor destination for cyclists and pedestrians next to the Grand Pacific Walk.