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A $22 million redevelopment has been proposed for Long Reef Golf Club in Collaroy, aiming to modernise the clubhouse and improve community access.

Background and History of the Clubhouse

Long Reef Golf Club in Collaroy has lodged a development application to refurbish its clubhouse, originally built in 1965. While the golf course dates back to 1921, the clubhouse has undergone only incremental additions over six decades. The club now hosts approximately 70,000 rounds of golf annually, making it one of the busiest in New South Wales.

Long Reef Golf Club renovation — *Photo Credit: DA2025/0764*

Design Plans and Features

The proposed redevelopment involves replacing the existing one-storey structure with a two-storey building while maintaining a similar footprint. The redesign includes indoor dining, multi-use rooms for both members and the public, and various terraces with seating capacities ranging from 30 to 170 patrons across both levels.

The ground level will feature member and community rooms for hire, a members’ lounge and terrace, indoor dining areas, a garden terrace for 96 people, and a covered outdoor terrace for 50. The upper floor will add more multi-use spaces and terraces, expanding the venue’s potential for events and community use.

Community Integration and Facilities

A new coffee kiosk is included in the plans to accommodate passersby without requiring them to enter the clubhouse. This aims to separate member and public areas more effectively and make the club more welcoming to local residents.

Club officials said the intent is to generate income through increased event and hospitality services, keeping both member and public fees affordable, rather than relying on member subsidies.

Collaroy development — *Photo Credit: DA2025/0764*

Parking Expansion and Gaming Room Removal

To support extended operating hours and a higher volume of visitors, the club plans to expand parking capacity from 43 to 92 spaces. This includes an overflow area, new accessible bays, and dedicated staff parking.

The club will also remove its existing 11 pokie machines, which have not been a major source of revenue. No gaming area is included in the refurbishment plans, aligning with broader concerns about gambling harm in the Northern Beaches area.

Coastal Resilience Measures

The clubhouse is situated near Fishermans Beach but is reportedly shielded from the types of coastal threats faced further north in Collaroy. Nevertheless, a Coastal Engineering Report has outlined precautions such as using water-resistant materials, elevating power points, and installing laminated glass doors. These steps are designed to withstand rare storm events, including a one-in-one-hundred-year scenario.

Long Reef Golf Club — Photo Credit: DA2025/0764

Project Timeline and Next Steps

The development application is currently with NBC, with exhibition yet to open as further documentation is compiled. The club expects that once approved, construction would take at least 18 months. Plans are in place to minimise disruption, including potentially using the existing Pro Shop as a temporary facility.

Published 14-July-2025

Construction of the Collaroy seawall continues despite funding issues. With the protection of private properties forecasted to cost around $17.3 million, some homeowners could not help but fret because they need to shoulder 80 percent of the total expenses.

Based on estimates, it’s going to cost residents over $282,000 each. The 1.3-km seawall would cover a total of 49 private properties, 11 public land areas, a car park and a surf club. With the public land areas included, the total cost could go as high as $24.8 million.

The rest of the expenses for the private properties will be shouldered by the NSW government and Northern Beaches Council, who will allocate 10 per cent of the total cost each for the private works. To avail of the financial assistance, residents have to submit a development application for the Council to review.

“Council has approved six Development Applications for coastal protection works submitted by residents. These applications represent 23 of the 49 land parcels requiring coastal protection, there is currently one DA to be finalised and Council is waiting on information from this resident,” the Northern Beaches Council wrote.

Because of the high cost of building the seawall, there are a few homeowners who have already raised funding for their works.

Seawall proposal

The construction of a seawall in Collaroy was first proposed in 2002. However, Daylan Cameron, Senior Environment Officer – Natural Hazards of Warringah Council’s Natural Environment Unit stated that it wasn’t popular with the community at the time.

Following a severe storm in June 2016, the construction of a seawall was once again suggested and now, it’s finally closer to reality. Collaroy-Narrabeen Beach had a long history of storm damage and coastal erosion, making it the 3rd area most at risk from coastal processes across Australia.

‘Flight deck’ foundation exposed following a 1967 storm (Photo credit: engineersaustralia.org.au)

The Coastline Management Plan 1997 identified four main strategies for dealing with coastal erosion along the beach:

Protective works
Environmental planning measures
Development control and conditions
Dune Management

Nielsen Lord Associates stated in 1998 that the problem stemmed from the fact that the initial subdivision was too close to the beach with properties extending into the active beach zone.

In relation to this, experts warned the damages in the beachfront houses in Collaroy would have a wide effect on the property market. Despite the fact that the house prices in Collaroy increase 15.7 per cent every year, these damages could affect future buyers’ willingness to invest in the area.

Tag: northern beaches council

Long Reef Golf Club Proposes $22 Million Upgrade in Collaroy