Sydney’s coastline holds great recreational, social and cultural significance. It is also exposed to a range of hazards which are increasing in severity. To rebuild the Mona Vale Surf Lifesaving Club, Northern Beaches Council had to carefully consider erosion, saltwater intrusion, sea level rise and storm surge events.
The project included an ‘acceptable risk’ methodology that considered hazard risk over the 100-year life of the building and a resilience analysis of a range of engineering approaches. This informed the setbacks and the innovative piling and foundation design. Climate resilient Case study materials include precast concrete panels which can withstand storm waves, laminated glass to reduce the risk from shattering and stainless steel fittings. The outcome is reduced maintenance costs over a 100-year design life.
Northern Beaches Council worked with the Institute of Public Works and Engineering Australasia to develop two publicly-available practice notes coming out of the project on climate change impacts on the useful life of infrastructure and climate resilient materials for infrastructure assets.
Northern Beaches Council, NSW Stronger Communities Fund, Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, Institute of Public Works and Engineering Australasia