A new home for Bronte Surf Life Saving Club is one step closer as work on landmark development begins

27 August 2025 | Media Release

  • Works officially begin today on Bronte Surf Life Saving Club’s new base
  • A new state-of-the-art, visually stunning facility will boost public amenity and beach safety and provide exciting new infrastructure to one of Australia’s best-loved beaches
  • Visual materials including project renders, historical images and videos, and sod turn photographs available

Work has commenced on the development of a new state-of-the-art home for one of Australia’s oldest surf life saving institutions, boosting public amenity and beach safety in the process.

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh today joined dignitaries to turn the first sod at the development site of Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, marking an important milestone in one of Council’s most significant community works projects.

Following demolition of the existing structure over the coming months, a visually stunning and modern multipurpose building, complete with a rooftop garden offering priceless ocean views, will begin to rise from the ground, due to be completed in 2027.

“The new club will feature enhanced lifeguard operational facilities, public amenities, lifesaving infrastructure and more inclusive spaces for the thousands of volunteers, members and beachgoers who visit each year,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said.

As well as a home for the club, the site is a base from which Waverley Council’s team of dedicated lifeguards keep a watchful eye on surfers and swimmers of all ages.

Many historians view Bronte as one of the first surf life saving outfits in Australia, and since its establishment in 1903, this club has been a vital part of the eastern suburbs’ cultural and social identity.

“The current clubhouse was constructed in the early 1970s and at the time it was considered the most modern facility of its kind on the east coast, but after five decades of service, it is no longer fit for purpose,” Cr Nemesh said.

“Waverley Council committed to ushering in a new chapter for this important community hub – and the writing of that chapter begins today.”

Bronte Surf Life Saving Club President Basil Scaffidi was on site today and described the occasion as “incredibly exciting”.

“It has been quite a journey to this point, but we are really excited about completing the project and delivering a building that will house Waverley’s professional lifeguards and park staff and our surf lifesaving club,” Mr Scaffidi said.

Alfredo Marrocco, managing director of project contractor Belmadar, said: “Belmadar is proud to partner with Waverley Council and the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club on this important redevelopment.

“Guided by our mission of building a legacy for future generations, we are committed to delivering a facility that will support the club’s volunteers and the Bronte community for decades to come.”

Other infrastructure improvements stemming from the development include a new promenade, sea wall, footpaths and a turning circle roadway.

The building will also feature new facilities for Council’s open space maintenance and cleansing services teams, who work across Bronte Beach and Bronte Park.

Temporary facilities have been established to accommodate lifeguards, maintenance crews and the project contractor while construction is underway.

This landmark project is being delivered by Waverley Council in partnership with Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, supported by the Australian Government and NSW Government.

-ENDS-