Mayor Tony Francis, PLSLSC President Mathew Ponsford and Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson launch the club's 70th life saving year
The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club (PLSLSC) will definitely secure state government funding for its new clubhouse, after the project won important backing from Life Saving Victoria (LSV).
The peak life saving body has included the project among just nine to be presented to next year’s Victorian budget.
The organisation is responsible for managing the statewide grants process for new clubhouse rebuilds.
“Through a lot of hard work and a lot of lobbying and because of the success of where we are actually at the moment our club has been invited to participate in the budget bid,” said PLSLSC President Mathew Ponsford. “It took us about two seconds to accept that kind invitation.
“What that effectively means is that Life Saving Victoria is going to do the budget submissions for the state government for the 2017/18 budget and we will be one of nine clubs as part of that bid.
“So no longer will it be a case of when are we going to get the money from the state government, we will be getting money from the state government. It will be a firm commitment [and] we hope it’s not too far away,” Mr Ponsford said.
“It’s certainly good news, it’s not all of the funding, but it’s certainly part of the funding which will certainly help us a long way. “
Building Committee Chair Chris Harper said a planning application for the $3.5 million clubhouse would be submitted with the Borough of Queenscliffe within the next month.
Architect firm Jackson Clements Burrows is currently finalising the “neighbor friendly” design, he said.
If successful in securing full funding, the two-level clubhouse will be completed by the end of 2018.
“We’ve got the cake in the oven and we’re going to submit for town planning permit application by the end of the year and we’ve got a fair idea of what we’re heading towards but we’re not quite resolved yet.
“The application will be lodged just before Christmas, we hope to have some community consultation and some member consultation sessions before it goes in.
“We’re very keen to make sure we respect our relationship with our neighbours, so it’s likely that the new facility will look out over the sand dunes and over the adjacent Ganes Reserve. “
“Everyone is waiting with baited breath to see what the end design might look like,” Mr Harper said. “I think we’re on track to be a good community member and respect our surroundings and deliver what the club needs.”
The Borough of Queenscliffe paved the way for the redevelopment earlier this year when it agreed to hand over an adjacent section of land for one dollar.
That move followed an exhaustive and unsuccessful five year search for an alternative club house site.
The peak life saving body has included the project among just nine to be presented to next year’s Victorian budget.
The organisation is responsible for managing the statewide grants process for new clubhouse rebuilds.
“Through a lot of hard work and a lot of lobbying and because of the success of where we are actually at the moment our club has been invited to participate in the budget bid,” said PLSLSC President Mathew Ponsford. “It took us about two seconds to accept that kind invitation.
“What that effectively means is that Life Saving Victoria is going to do the budget submissions for the state government for the 2017/18 budget and we will be one of nine clubs as part of that bid.
“So no longer will it be a case of when are we going to get the money from the state government, we will be getting money from the state government. It will be a firm commitment [and] we hope it’s not too far away,” Mr Ponsford said.
“It’s certainly good news, it’s not all of the funding, but it’s certainly part of the funding which will certainly help us a long way. “
Building Committee Chair Chris Harper said a planning application for the $3.5 million clubhouse would be submitted with the Borough of Queenscliffe within the next month.
Architect firm Jackson Clements Burrows is currently finalising the “neighbor friendly” design, he said.
If successful in securing full funding, the two-level clubhouse will be completed by the end of 2018.
“We’ve got the cake in the oven and we’re going to submit for town planning permit application by the end of the year and we’ve got a fair idea of what we’re heading towards but we’re not quite resolved yet.
“The application will be lodged just before Christmas, we hope to have some community consultation and some member consultation sessions before it goes in.
“We’re very keen to make sure we respect our relationship with our neighbours, so it’s likely that the new facility will look out over the sand dunes and over the adjacent Ganes Reserve. “
“Everyone is waiting with baited breath to see what the end design might look like,” Mr Harper said. “I think we’re on track to be a good community member and respect our surroundings and deliver what the club needs.”
The Borough of Queenscliffe paved the way for the redevelopment earlier this year when it agreed to hand over an adjacent section of land for one dollar.
That move followed an exhaustive and unsuccessful five year search for an alternative club house site.