The New South Wales Government is supporting Life Saving Clubs with a $5.4 million funding boost to the 2024/25 Surf Club Facility Program.
The program provides funding to Surf Life Saving Clubs for the upgrade, restoration or construction of surf lifesaving facilities to keep them modern and accessible for the community, and so that surf life savers can better protect beachgoers.
Thirty-eight clubs shared in grants up to $1 million with projects that encourage participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ a priority.
Coogee Surf Life Saving Club received $900,000 for refurbishment of the ground floor of the clubhouse which will include upgrades to amenities, changerooms and the training room.
New South Wales Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, and Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, joined Surf Life Saving NSW staff and volunteers at Coogee Surf Life Saving Club to announce funding recipients.
Other major projects to receive funding include:
- Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club: $940,000 for the redevelopment of the surf club which will include a new lift, upgraded changerooms, enhanced storage and fire safety upgrades
- Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club: $312,370 for upgrades to the club’s bathrooms and outdoor pergola
- Austinmer Surf Life Saving Club: $282,900 for upgrades to the club’s bathrooms and showers
For the full list of recipients and further information on the program, visit https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/surf-club-facility-program
Kamper said that this summer has again illustrated the vital job surf life savers do protecting swimmers and keeping people safe at beaches along the New South Wales coast.
“The $5.4 million funding awarded by the State Government today will ensure our surf life saving clubs across NSW remain modern and accessible so that surf life savers can continue their invaluable work,” Kamper said.
“This funding is part of a four-year $16 million commitment from the NSW Government to support NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs to continue to deliver a world-class service.”
Dib said that the red and yellow flags on beaches are a welcome sight, and surf life savers helped perform more than 2,400 rescues this summer.
“We know communities are drawn to our beautiful coastline and by investing in our surf life saving clubs and providing modern facilities we support our volunteers who make our beaches safer.
“Our surf life savers represent the communities they serve and by improving access to these clubs we ensure more people can enjoy them when they visit our beaches.”
President of Surf Life Saving NSW, Peter Agnew, was pleased to see the State Government directly support the vital contribution made by volunteer lifesavers and surf clubs in New South Wales.
“Our growing membership of over 80,000 lifesavers and Nippers deserve safe, secure and accessible facilities,” Agnew said.
“This program allows those members, who do such important work volunteering at our beaches, to focus on saving lives.”
