North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club hopes a plan to introduce a restaurant to the first floor of its clubhouse will help it become a self-sufficient and financially secure organisation.
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A development application has been submitted to Wollongong City Council to seek consent to sublease part of the premises, which is permitted under the club's lease, for a restaurant.
Club president David Meredith said the income would boost the financial sustainability of the organisation.
The plan was to create a "Queensland-style" club, he said, with modern facilities and an outlet that offered benefits to members to hopefully attract more people to the club's ranks.
Documents lodged with the council said the surf lifesaving movement was flagging and the club's numbers were at its lowest, with 66 seniors and 225 juniors.
Mr Meredith said the public would also benefit from gaining use of a council facility seven days a week and an eatery of its kind was something visitors expected in the main tourist hub of the city.
It was also expected to provide employment, he said, with the creation of 50 to 70 jobs anticipated.
Mr Meredith said the club hoped for a bistro-style eatery and bar.
The hours of the proposed restaurant have not been finalised, but the application documents outline a benchmark of 6am and midnight, seven days a week.
The eatery would seat a maximum of 300 people.
If the council approves the application, a tenant will be chosen through a tender process.
They would then be responsible for the fit-out of the restaurant and any future development applications.
A report submitted as part of the application said the restaurant was estimated to generate a demand for 27 car parking spaces, which could be accommodated in existing public parking near the club.
Signage for the restaurant, which must comply with heritage controls, would be subject to a future application.
An assessment found the proposal would have little to no adverse impact on the heritage of the precinct.
The proposed restaurant, if approved, will get up and running after the surf club is refurbished.
The council has awarded a tender for works that will include an internal refurbishment and reconfiguration, a new balcony area adjoining the function room, structural works to secure the old building, and painting to match other heritage buildings in the area.
The surf club has put $700,000 towards the project, on which it has collaborated with the council.
Mr Meredith said it was hoped this work would be completed by July next year and the successful tenderer for the restaurant would be operating by the time the UCI World Road Championships begin that September.
The development application is available to view on the council's website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au until Friday, April 30.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
