Local residents believe Merewether’s existing problems will only get worse if Merewether Surf House is redeveloped.

A development application has been submitted by Sailor’s Rock to demolish Surf House and erect a three-storey building with public amenities, a café, function centre and restaurant.

And although many Merewether residents agree something needs to be done about the run-down building, they believe the construction of a new building is not the answer.

Merewether resident of 47 years and Merewether Surfing Reserve chairman Tim Ryan said locals wanted the building to be demolished but to put a new, bigger building in its place was not a good idea and would cause a lot of problems.

“We’re not anti development; we want to get rid of the eyesore but without replacing it with another building.”

Mr Ryan said he was concerned the new building would only make the car parking in the area worse.

“There’s no adequate parking around here as it is, on the weekend it is already impossible for beach goers to find a space near the beach, imagine what it’s going to be like with the new function centre and people having a wedding reception in there.”

He said he was also concerned about the views being blocked.

“Every visitor that comes to Newcastle down the highway won’t be able to see the Merewether panorama.”

Mr Ryan believes the proposal doesn’t address the community’s needs.

“The only problem it addresses is the (Newcastle City) council’s, in that it can’t afford to demolish Surf House.”

He said residents were planning to sign petitions and write letters to council to oppose the development.

Sailor’s Rock developer Keith Stronarch said the new building would benefit the community.

Mr Stronarch said the building would display surf-lifesaving memorabilia, allow people to hire a board to go surfing and create jobs during construction and on completion.

At a Newcastle City Council public voice committee last Tuesday, June 9, Mr Stronarch said although the new building had a greater building bulk at the upper level than the current building, there would be no significant loss of views or overshadowing.

He said traffic consultants established the existing surrounding parking areas could cater for the proposal without significant adverse impacts.

Newcastle City Council will discuss Merewether Surf House’s future at its July 7 meeting.