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Ocean Beach, Terrigal and Wamberal Surf Life Saving Clubs have shared in more than $5 million in funding under the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.
Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club was among 32 clubs to be awarded grants for the upgrade, restoration and construction of facilities under the Program.
Ocean Beach Life Saving Club was awarded $398,663 for the creation of an enclosed education and training space for volunteers.
“Our local Surf Life Saving volunteers are the unsung heroes of our community, protecting locals and visitors in the water,” said Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch
“This grant will contribute towards the development of a modern, fit for purpose facility that enables surf life savers to better protect the community and continue to deliver a world-class service,” she said.
Ocean Beach Surf Life President, Dean Slattery said: “This project is a need that has been identified for many years. In poor weather, we can’t accommodate the approximately 150 Nippers in the club house, meaning that we have to close the beach completely for training.
“The project has the potential for generational change at the club, allowing us to fundamentally change the way that we operate. As the club faces due south, in the past, in inclement weather, we would have to close the club and beach, significantly reducing our capacity to provide training programs to our volunteers and community.
“By providing an all-weather environment, we will have the ability to revise our operations to suit the capacity that this allows us, continuing training in poor weather. This will mean that community training programs such as Nippers, CPR Awareness and Heart Start can continue no matter the conditions.”
Terrigal and Wamberal SLSC also shared in the funding under the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.
Government Spokesperson for Terrigal, The Hon. Mark Buttigieg MLC said: “Terrigal surf life saving volunteers are the unsung heroes of our community, protecting locals and visitors in the water.
“This grant will contribute towards the development of a modern, fit for purpose facility that enables surf life savers to better protect the community and continue to deliver a world-class service.”
Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club was awarded $92,400 for the construction of an all-weather awning on the first floor.
The NSW Government has allocated $16 million to the Program over four years. This was boosted by an additional $5 million in the 2023/24 NSW State Budget as part of a $23 million funding increase to Surf Life Saving NSW to better protect beachgoers and reduce drownings.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: “NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs deliver a world-class service, protecting swimmers in the water and keeping people safe at the beach.
“Rain, hail or shine, surf lifesavers never waver in their commitment to protecting the community and likewise, the NSW Government will not waver in its support of these incredible volunteers.
“That’s why we are providing $21 million over four years to ensure our surf life saving clubs have modern, inclusive and accessible facilities.”
Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew said: “The volunteer patrol season has only just finished, with our more than 20,000 active surf lifesavers performing over 4,600 rescues, 1 million preventative actions and almost 20,000 first aid treatments. It has been one of our busiest patrol seasons in years.
“The Surf Club Facility Program has always contributed greatly to the ongoing important community service our lifesavers deliver, through enhanced facilities to ensure our lifesavers are rescue ready, trained and equipped appropriately, and it’s excellent to see 32 clubs benefitting from the latest round of funding.
“Our surf clubs also act as key community hubs, promoting inclusivity and social cohesion, so this investment benefits all the community.
“We have 129 clubs across the state, with 78,000 members, and this program allows those members, who do such important work volunteering at our beaches, to focus on saving lives.”
For further information on the Surf Club Facility Program, including the recipients in the 2023/24 Program, visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/surf-club-facility-program
