A new base for Lifesaving Operations

Since its formation in 1947, the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club has provided continuous community service through the patrolling of Point Lonsdale’s southern surf beach. The Club initially patrolled a section of beach known as Steps Beach; however, due to difficult access, the patrolled area was relocated in the 1960s to the west of Glaneuse Reef.

A variety of temporary storage facilities were constructed in the dunes before a permanent structure was built in 1982. This building included an observation room, a small equipment store, and a first aid room. In 2002, the facility was renovated and extended to include a patrol room, an expanded equipment store, and, in conjunction with the Borough of Queenscliffe, public toilets.

The surf beach is subject to extreme weather conditions, and engineering assessments have concluded the Beach Base structure is now structurally compromised to the extent full reconstruction is required. In addition, the Point Lonsdale back beach has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, and the existing facility requires functional improvements to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of lifesaving services to a growing number of beach users.

In recognition of the need to replace the Beach Base, the State Government announced in its 2021/22 budget $2.5 million would be allocated to deliver a new, fit-for-purpose lifesaving facility to maintain high-quality beach user safety outcomes.

Since receiving this funding, the Club has worked with several State Government agencies, the Borough of Queenscliffe, and community groups to progress a new building that would include:

  • Observation room

  • First aid room

  • Emergency response motor room and equipment storage

  • Patrol support room

  • Member change rooms

  • Public toilets (in conjunction with the Borough of Queenscliffe)

The complexity of the project has unfortunately resulted in limited progress until 2025. This complexity is illustrated by the Club’s initial application for approval under the Marine and Coastal Act (MACA), which was rejected in March 2025 by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). See the Club’s MACA application Part 1 and Part 2.

In July 2025, the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon. Vicki Ward MP, together with the Member for Bellarine, Alison Marchant MP, visited the Club to discuss the project and inspect the existing facility. Given the relatively modest scale of the proposed building, the Minister expressed concern about the time elapsed since the funding was announced. It was subsequently agreed that project delivery would be transferred to the Community Safety Building Authority (CSBA), a business unit within the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

CSBA has extensive experience in delivering emergency services facilities for organisations such as Life Saving Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, and the State Emergency Service. This transfer occurred in October 2025, with the Club transitioning to an end-user role, while retaining representation on the Project Control Group. This approach aligns the Back Beach project with a typical budget-funded delivery model rather than a grant-funded one.

The Club is very grateful for the timely support provided by Minister Ward and the local Member, Alison Marchant, as this has accelerated the project. In March 2026, CSBA appointed Guymer Bailey Architects as lead consultant to coordinate all required services, with the objective of achieving the following milestones:

  • Concept design completed – July 2026

  • Schematic design completed and approved by PLSLSC – September 2026

  • Marine and Coastal Act consent – Notice of Decision from DEECA received by December 2026

Members of the Club’s Building Committee are:

  • Chris Harper

  • Matt Ponsford ESM

  • Andrew Sutherland (Club Assistant Secretary)

The Committee welcomes feedback and queries.