Edithvale Lifesaving Club construction set to begin

Works are set to begin on a new $4.9 million Edithvale Life Saving Club facility after Kingston Council appointed a builder to break ground on the exciting new community building. 

Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the club has served the community for 100 years and replacing the current aged building will ensure its future for decades to come.

“A new state-of-the-art facility has been designed to ensure the club can continue to provide this vital community service to the more than 22,000 visitors who visit Edithvale beach each summer,” Cr Staikos said.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday 24 September councillors also committed to invest in the addition of a concrete roof garden and roller blinds.

“We are in the position to get this development right from the beginning, which will avoid us having to pay more in the future to renovate or retrofit it,” said Cr Staikos.

The new Edithvale Life Saving Club has been funded in partnership by Kingston Council ($3.4m) and the Victorian Government ($1.5m). Council agreed to seek additional funding from the Victorian Government.

Mayor Staikos said the valuable community asset was part of Council’s ongoing investment into high-quality lifesaving facilities along the foreshore. 

“Council has already delivered fantastic facilities at Carrum and Mordialloc and planning is underway at Bonbeach, Aspendale and Mentone.  Our life saving clubs not only keep us safe in the water but also provide a community focal point that encourages a healthy, active lifestyle for their members.”

Council has appointed Brighton builders 2Construct, with works expected to begin next month and take approximately 12 months to complete.  

“Council hopes to support local businesses and promote local job creation and it’s fantastic to see a local construction company appointed to the project."  

Edithvale Life Saving Club will continue to patrol the beach as usual during the construction works, with temporary storage facilities for the club set up in the nearby Gnotuk Avenue car park.  

Beach access via The Esplanade will be prohibited during the construction works, with pedestrians able to access the beach from neighbouring side streets instead.