Forster Surf Club by Webber Architects Showcases the Innovation of Millboard Australia
On the sun-drenched shores of New South Wales, the Forster Surf Life Saving Club stands as both a vital community hub and a beacon of architectural excellence. Recently, this iconic site underwent a significant redevelopment, led by the acclaimed team at Webber Architects. The result? A facility that not only enhances the club’s functionality and durability but also raises the bar in coastal architecture.
A key player in this transformation was Millboard Australia, whose innovative materials helped bring Webber’s vision to life. This project exemplifies how smart design and superior materials can shape community assets built to endure the harshest environments.
Millboard: Not Just Decking; A Design Innovation
Traditionally known for its premium decking solutions, Millboard Australia found a surprising new application at Forster Surf Life Saving Club: handrail capping.
Webber Architects, known for pushing the envelope of conventional design, identified Millboard’s unique composite material as the perfect solution for handrail finishes. This decision reflects both a bold design choice and a functional one, especially when considering the coastal context. The team was impressed by Millboard’s adaptability, ease of installation, and ability to withstand demanding conditions while offering a refined aesthetic.
Why Millboard Was the Right Choice
The Forster coastline is as beautiful as it is brutal on building materials. Constant exposure to salt, sun, wind, and water demands robust construction and clever material choices. Here’s where Millboard Australia truly shines.
Because Millboard contains no timber content, it won’t rot, split, fade, or warp, which is common issues with natural wood in marine environments. Its low-maintenance nature and long-lasting durability make it an ideal material for surf lifesaving clubs and other oceanfront structures. With Millboard, there’s no need for regular staining, sealing, or chemical treatments, just long-term performance.
Seamless Integration with Rugged Materials
The material palette chosen by Webber Architects for the Forster Surf Life Saving Club reads like a manual for coastal resilience: precast concrete, masonry, marine-grade aluminium, and Millboard.
Rather than appearing as an afterthought, Millboard handrail capping integrated seamlessly into the overall design. Its textured surface and natural timber look complemented the building’s contemporary coastal feel while meeting all practical demands. It formed part of a holistic strategy: selecting materials not only for their strength but also for their sustainability, longevity, and minimal maintenance.
Community, Sustainability & the Bigger Picture
For non-profits like surf life saving clubs, ongoing upkeep is a significant cost burden. Choosing low-maintenance, high-durability materials like Millboard Australia ensures that valuable community dollars are spent where they’re most needed, not on frequent repairs or replacements.
From a sustainability perspective, Millboard’s lack of timber means it doesn’t contribute to deforestation, and its long life cycle reduces the need for replacements. Fewer harsh cleaning chemicals and treatments also make it a greener option for environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
In this way, Millboard becomes more than just a construction material, it becomes a vehicle for community resilience and environmental responsibility.
What Webber Architects Had to Say
In a post-project review, Jon Webber, the director of Webber Architects expressed his satisfaction with Millboard’s performance:
“… it’s a durable material that’s been fantastic to work with. We’ve got concealed fixings, the board doesn’t swell, and it’s working really well in this harsh environment. So, these boards are really light maintenance. No need to re-oil, there’s a range of colours that can be used and they’re all cast so that you can’t tell that the board is a repetitive pattern. I even used it for my own home for this reason, and no maintenance of course.”
“It’s a product that we will continue to use again and again. It’s been very successful in this harsh environment”
This endorsement from a respected architectural firm adds weight to Millboard’s credibility, not just as a decking solution, but as a versatile material suitable for demanding applications.
Final Thoughts: A Material for the Future
The Forster Surf Life Saving Club is a legacy of service, safety, and community spirit. Thanks to visionary design by Webber Architects and strategic material choices like Millboard Australia, it’s built to stand strong against the elements for decades to come.
Millboard proves that it can be more than decking. It’s a future-proof solution trusted by leading architects, adaptable to challenging conditions, and ready to take on new roles in modern design.
For those designing in coastal or high-wear environments, or simply seeking innovative materials with lasting impact, Millboard Australia stands out as a smart, sustainable choice.
Experience the Millboard Effect
Ready to see why Millboard Australia is trusted by architects and builders across Australia? Order your free sample today and experience the unmatched durability, refined aesthetics, and innovative design potential for yourself. Whether you’re working on a coastal project or simply want a smarter alternative to traditional timber, Millboard is the future-ready solution you’ve been looking for. Discover how it can elevate your next build effortlessly.
