Nobbys Pavilion to be overhauled

Newcastle City Council will go ahead with plans to refurbish Nobbys Surf Pavilion following the NSW Government's commitment today to part fund the upgrade.

NCC and Nobbys SLSC will match $500,000 pledged by the state government - from the Port of Newcastle Community Contribution scheme - to overhaul the pavilion.

The historic building's public change rooms will be demolished and replaced by more-accessible facilities with better ventilation.

A new function room with bar and kitchen will be added and the surf club gym will be refurbished as part of the $1million improvement project.

"Coastal revitalisation is one of my priorities particularly for the social and community benefits in terms of health, increased tourism, mixed use and commercial opportunities through public events," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"The new building will cater to the needs of increasing visitor numbers at Nobbys Beach and an active surf club with more than 600 members.

"Up to 700 people an hour at peak times are enjoying the public domain improvements we have made at Nobbys as part of the Bathers Way project."

The new pavilion will provide space to train surf lifesavers, much-needed storage areas for essential lifesaving equipment and a kitchen with the amenity to cater for events.

"This support from the NSW Government will enable Nobbys SLSC to provide better amenities to their growing club membership and the Community," Hunter Surf Lifesaving CEO Rhonda Scruton said.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes also acknowledged the $10,000 contribution for Throsby Creek clean ups.

"This project is a partnership between Newcastle City Council and The Department of Correctional Services," Councillor Nelmes said. "It will clean up the Throsby Creek mangroves on a regular basis, removing harmful rubbish from our precious waterways.

"The additional funding will enable the project to come to fruition. We are extremely grateful for it."

Nobbys Surf Pavilion was first established in 1923.

The masonry pavilion with a pitched gable roof was built in 1931 during the Depression.

It has become a symbol of the Hunter coast and history of the Newcastle Port.

Housed within a heritage-significant place, the building is surrounded by a coastal landscape integral to the city's heritage of coal mining, convict and Aboriginal settlement.

Surrounded by Foreshore Park, Fort Scratchley, Nobbys Lighthouse and breakwater, the area around the Pavilion is popular for walkers and joggers enjoying the views of Newcastle Harbour.