June 16 - 22, 2024: Issue 628

 

Construction Of Warriewood Community Centre Commences

Photo: Chris Hornsby (President Warriewood Residents Association), Cr Vincent De Luca OAM, Independent for the Northern Beaches,  Councillor Ruth Robins, Mayor Sue Heins, and Julia Hornsby (Treasurer Warriewood Residents Association). Image courtesy Cr Vincent De Luca OAM.

Work has officially begun on the construction of the Warriewood Community Centre with the first soil being turned on Wednesday 29 May 2024.

Pittwater Council had already collected $5.8 million in Developer Contributions for this project. 

The Warriewood Valley Development Contributions Plan was extended by the NBC to 30 June 2031 at the Council meeting of 28 June 2022. Contributions in Warriewood Valley currently account for up to $72,000 of the cost of an individual dwelling.

However, the latest Council Budget papers propose borrowing that $10.45 million to the build.

The Estimated amount payable to Belmadar Pty Ltd, the contractor, under the contract (excluding GST), is $17,040,033.00 - so close to $19 million all up for the build and associated works.

The Warriewood Community Centre has long been anticipated by Pittwater residents, since its inclusion in the Warriewood Valley Master Plan of 1998. Pittwater Council circulated architectural plans for the centre in 2010. It, and later the amalgamated Northern Beaches Council, raised funds for the centre through developer contributions - previously known as Section 94 contributions, now Section 7.12. These contributions are levied to fund infrastructure in new developments. 

The Warriewood Valley Development Contributions Plan of 2022 noted that a community meeting place is essential for community development. However, it continues, in Warriewood Valley: 

“Existing facilities are at capacity, evidenced by the requests for provision of additional activities and services from community groups that cannot be accommodated in existing facilities. It is apparent, through previous research, that there is no capacity in the existing community facilities to cater for the demand likely to arise from expected population growth over the next 10 years. As a consequence, it will be necessary to provide additional floor space to ensure appropriate levels of service to the incoming population.” 

With the Nelson Heather Centre (on the corner of Jacksons and Pittwater Roads), sinking into the old tip site on which it was built, the council planned to demolish it and construct the new community centre at the same location. 

Excavation to remove loose fill will need to be undertaken and foundation piles used to support it (See Geotechnical Investigation for the Proposed Community Centre).

The population of Warriewood reached 8,425 people in 2022, and Mona Vale 11,019. As a District Centre on the B-line bus route, the Nelson Heather Centre also attracted users from outside the Warriewood Valley and Mona Vale. 

Mayor Sue Heins said at the ground-breaking ceremony this marked the first step to a new spacious and environmentally friendly multi-use community facility.

“I, along with the local community, am delighted the construction phase has finally begun for what will be a truly wonderful facility that will cater for a wide range of community, recreational and educational, activities in the area.”

“There has been a growing need for a multipurpose centre like this to accommodate the expanding local community. I look forward to seeing this beautiful and sustainable new space come to fruition.” Mayor Heins said.

Features of the new centre will include:
  • five multi-purpose halls suited to a wide range of recreational activities
  • two multi-purpose meeting rooms
  • an entry lobby with seating and kitchenette facilities
  • covered outdoor spaces which overlook landscaped gardens
  • modern and accessible amenities
  • multiple kitchen facilities
  • 78 car parking spaces, 5 of which are accessible plus a mini-bus drop off
Sustainable features such as passive design, solar panels, 2400Litres of captured rainwater, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging facilities and Australian sustainably sourced cross laminated timber structural elements.

The building is expected to be completed in late 2025, weather permitting.

Concept Design - WVCC View from Boondah Reserve - Artist Impression. Image courtesy NBC

Warriewood CC - Final Floor Plan, courtesy NBC