The Illawarra will benefit from more than $1.3 million to upgrade, restore and improve surf clubs as part of the NSW Liberal and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Government’s Surf Club Facility Fund.
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said 6 surf clubs in the Illawarra region will receive funding through the program to create more modern, accessible facilities and ensure lifesavers have what they need to keep the community safe on our beaches.
“Surf clubs are at the heart of coastal communities and the NSW Liberal and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Government is investing in them to ensure they remain an integral part of towns across the Illawarra,” Mr Henskens said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the program provides grants ranging between $50,000 and $650,000.
“More than 20,000 Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers patrol 129 coastal locations every weekend and public holiday between the peak October to April period, so it’s vital they have modern and fit-for-purpose facilities,” Ms Cooke said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said the funding will help to improve facilities, increase participation in sport and recreation activities and improve community usage of surf clubs.
“These grants provide essential support for the life-saving work our volunteers undertake, which will keep our coastal communities safer and stronger in the years to come,” Mr Poulos said.
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said the busy summer period highlights why local surf clubs need fit-for-purpose facilities.
“We have some of the most beautiful and popular beaches in our region and it is crucial our Illawarra surf clubs have the facilities they need to protect both visitors and locals on our beaches,” Mr Evans said.
Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales said ensuring surf clubs across NSW are maintained and upgraded is vitally important.
“Our volunteers deserve safe, accessible and secure facilities in order to train new lifesavers and support the community. Many Surf Life Saving Clubs have been on the frontline in the last year, responding to incidents and emergencies including the recent flood disaster, and they need to be able to safely store and access vital rescue equipment at short notice,” Mr Shales said.
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Projects in the Illawarra receiving funding through the Surf Club Facility Fund include:
| Club | Funding | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club | $490,000 | Clubhouse redevelopment consisting of a completely accessible two-level structure with a total floor area of approximately 1600sqm. The ground floor will include a patrol room, first aid room, IRB (rescue boats) & vehicle store, surf boat store, board & ski store, club amenities, public amenities, gymnasium & kiosk. The second floor will include training rooms, members’ areas, multi-function areas, kitchen, amenities and verandah areas. |
| Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club | $320,080 | Upgrades to disability amenities to meet current standards and upgrades to existing bathroom amenities to enable a more appropriate layout and child safety. |
| Sandon Point Surf Life Saving Club | $307,315 | Extension of the upper-level deck and upper-level roofline to provide awning. A small storage unit will also be installed on the deck, and a new solar system added to the roof. This shelter will prevent water from pooling into the building during heavy rain and the upper balcony will be used as an elevated observation tower, allowing active surveillance of the entire bay area. |
| Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club | $150,000 | Replacement of the leaking ColourBond roof sheeting, guttering and flashings. |
| Bellambi Surf Life Saving Club | $50,600 | Update storage and first aid areas by installing storage shelving and gates and enacting floor/wall repair, protect vital lifesaving equipment by repairing and updating access doors and expanding club’s security system, and optimize accessibility in and between our safety equipment storage areas to streamline incident response. |
| Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club | $45,000 | Kitchen facility installation to provide basic catering for club members attending training or meetings at its clubhouse. |
