FAQs

Public Land is defined in the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) as any land vested in or under Council control. Council is required to classify public land as either ‘community’ or ‘operational’ land.

Community land is land that Council makes available for use by the general public, for example, park reserves or sport grounds. 

Operational land is land which facilitates the functions of Council and may not be open to the public, for example, a works depot or council garage. It has no special restrictions other than those that may apply to any piece of land.

Operational Land classification is deemed more appropriate as it will enable a greater level of flexibility for Council to support Club needs as well as those of the recreational precinct and deliver a facility that meets current and future needs of the broader community at no net cost to ratepayers. The proposal does not mean that Council intends to sell the land. 

Reclassification may occur due to a range of reasons. For example:

• there is no actual public use of the land;
• to deliver Council’s strategic asset management of these sites to meet current and future community needs;
• incorrect classification at the time when classification process was introduced; and 
• to correctly classify Council land that has a pure operational focus and function.

Council resolved to prepare a Planning Proposal to reclassify the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club at the Council meeting of 15 July 2024.

The building is leased to North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club to deliver various community services. The site will also have commercial tenants to operate the kiosk and future restaurant space approved under the redevelopment project. It is considered that a reclassification to ‘Operational’ land would be more appropriate for the facility.

The reclassification would ensure flexibility with Council’s leasing arrangement to the various tenants and ensure the continuation of community benefits provided by the facility.

Depending on the circumstances, Section 27 of the LG Act specifies two pathways, by either: 

• Council resolution under section 31, 32 or 33 of the LG Act

 • An LEP (Planning Proposal) under the Environmental Planning Assessment Act 1979.

For nearly a century, the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and its dedicated members have been integral to our community. We are committed to supporting the Club to continue its legacy through occupying and operating within the new and updated facilities to support their operations and ongoing volunteer service to the community, in line with any future leasing arrangements.

We will continue liaising closely with club management to ensure a dynamic, functional, and quality facility is delivered in a timely and financially responsible way. 

You can find out more information about the redevelopment including background and the latest FAQs on our project website here.