Elwood Life Saving Club (LSC) opposes Port Phillip Council's proposed redevelopment of the Elwood foreshore precinct that includes moving the Elwood LSC clubhouse away from the beachfront and construction of a lookout tower in front of the stormwater drain. 

Elwood LSC recognises its current clubhouse is no longer suitable for its existing 900 members, with storage and space constraints as well as maintenance issues already contributing to a cap on Nipper participants and restricting social and training activities. We welcome moves to address this issue however hold significant concerns and seek important detail on proposed changes to the Elwood foreshore precinct.

Port Phillip Council propose to relocate the clubhouse away from the beachfront because of the impact of climate change on the Elwood foreshore which is low lying coastal land and its buildings are at risk of permanent inundation due to sea-level rise and/or storm tide inundation. Its shoreline is not static and may recede.

Club President, David Rylance said “Relinquishing our foreshore position given its importance to the functionality of our operations, practicality in watching over beachgoers and presence spanning 110 years is not supported based on the current proposal. The proposed lookout tower further fails to grasp the logistics of what our lifesavers need to keep beachgoers and visitors to the foreshore safe”. The adequacy and location of parking, shared boat storage and notations flagging shared use of Elwood LSC’s proposed new clubhouse are among additional concerns with the proposal.

Elwood LSC welcomes detailed discussion with Port Phillip Council. For more information the club’s submission to the council sets out the club's position in detail.

https://www.elwoodlsc.com.au/news/foreshore-redevelopment/ 

Elwood Life Saving Club has been part of the area’s social fabric for more than 100 years, having been established in 1912. Today the club plays a core role as an emergency service with volunteer lifesavers last year alone watching over 170,000 beachgoers, performing four rescues, tending to more than 30 first aid cases and taking 950 actions to prevent a more serious safety incident.

If you wish to provide feedback on Elwood Life Saving Club’s position, please feel free to email us via info@elwoodlsc.com.au   

Port Phillip Council’s “Enhancing Elwood Foreshore” proposed site plan is available on its Have Your Say website. https://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/elwood-foreshore