Treasurer regrets spending almost $3million to upgrade a Sydney surf club because it now resembles a MICROWAVE
The New South Wales Treasurer has said he regrets spending over $3million of taxpayer money on a massive upgrade to an iconic Sydney surf club.
Coogee surf lifesaving club, once known for it's unusual pastel yellow exterior, has now been transformed into a stark and futuristic structure.
Architects feared the space-age design might be a little confronting for locals who were fond of the famous retro building erected in the 1950s.
In a nod to its former glory, the old fashion clock face which adored the front of the club was refitted on the modern rectangular structure - but locals now feel it looks like a microwave.
In a nod to its former glory, the old fashion clock face which adored the front of the club was refitted on the modern rectangular structure - but locals now feel it looks like a microwave
The New South Wales Treasurer has said he regrets spending over $3million of taxpayer money on a massive upgrade to an iconic Sydney surf club (pictured, the original design)
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has even described the new look as an 'eyesore'.
He told Guardian Australia this is not what he had in mind when he stood inside the stunning clubhouse to announce new funding in the lead-up to the 2017 budget.
'We have to stop turning icons into eyesores. Buildings like this occupy public spaces that belong to everyone. That's why beauty in architecture is so important.'
Mr Perrottet said Sydney's historic surf clubs are such a part of the local culture and as recognisable as the zinc on the nose of red and yellow capped lifesavers.
'The buildings we build should complement the beauty of their surroundings. Our city deserves better and we must do better,' he said.
He's not the only one unhappy with the refurbishment.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has even described the new look as an 'eyesore'
Disgruntled locals have launched an online petition on change.org demanding to have the surf club facade changed back.
'The changes to the north-facing aspect of the Coogee surf club have ruined an iconic building,' the petition caption said.
'The petition is simply a request to change it back.'
One person who signed the petition wrote: 'How on earth did this happen? The original Art Deco facade was priceless. I can't get my head around this constant need to wipe out history. Such a horror!'
Another said: 'A monster of a building with no architectural merit. It's a mess and dominates the landscape.'
But despite some bad reviews, Coogee surf club has stood by the controversial design.
Coogee local Marty Doyle, who goes to the beach every day said: 'It's tasteless and super boring... it looks like a massive microwave.'
Disgruntled locals have launched an online petition on change.org demanding to have the surf club facade changed back (pictured, Coogee Beach)
President of the club Todd Mison said he 'loves' the radical design and has received good feedback everyday from beachgoers.
He also took aim at Mr Perrottet and noted that the club did not apply for any government grants - it was handed to them by the NSW Government.
A Randwick City Council spokesman said the new design did not go to public consultation when it was first proposed in 2017 because the surf club had hired architects two years before the council signed up to the project.
The council also said it was not simply a cosmetic refurbishment as the surf club had suffered severe storm damage several years earlier.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Randwick City Council and the Coogee Bay Lifesaving club for comment.