The ongoing future of Tasmania’s oldest and largest surf lifesaving club has been put at risk by a bungled lease agreement, drafted by the Burnie Council.
The Burnie Surf Life Saving Club and its many dedicated volunteers are being frustrated by a legal stoush which has left them at risk of losing access to part of the club’s premises.
The Council drew up both the Club’s original lease of the site and the later lease of the tenant Bayview Restaurant.
Due to a drafting bungle, the restaurant tenant has been given the right to take over common areas which up until recently were used by the surf club.
I have written to Mayor Anita Dow calling on her to intervene to fix the issue.
The Burnie Surf Life Saving Club is a highly respected and well supported part of the North West community and its future must be assured.
The letter follows.
Dear Mayor
I write to raise my concern at the Burnie City Council’s failure to properly address the uncertainty surrounding the Burnie Surf Life Saving Club lease.
The BSLSC is the oldest and largest SLSC in the state and Burnie is widely acknowledged as having the best beach in the state for SLSC Championships.
I am advised that the Club is now at serious risk of losing access to common areas (Wave Room and part of the balcony) when the lease expires in nine months.
For the past few months the Club has been unable to host events and is losing money, money which is used so the Club can continue to provide lifesaving.
I ask that the Council intervene in this matter to give the Club the security and access to common areas they require.
Yours sincerely,
Joan