Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ) will receive a whopping $125 million funding through a ten-year service agreement under the latest state budget, while the Minor Infrastructure Program is allocated an additional $15 million.
The historic boost to SLSQ will begin in the new financial year and will support every Queensland surf club.
More than 35,000 Queenslanders volunteer at surf lifesaving clubs, with over 462,000 more supporting as affiliated members.
The significant investment aims to bolster the growth of both active volunteer numbers and active club memberships.
This follows the previous financial year’s $12 million investment in equipment and facilities upgrades across Surf Life Saving clubs, currently being rolled out.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles is proud to support the clubs.
“My government will always back Surf Life Saving Queensland to deliver vital services that keep Queenslanders safe in and around our waterways and beaches,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick was also pleased with the move, emphasising that the Miles Government’s inaugural budget prioritises community safety, exemplified by this landmark investment in SLSQ.
SLSQ CEO Dave Whimpey welcomed the funding, saying it supports the SLSQ vision of “zero preventable deaths” in Queensland.
“The funding is recognition of the great work our staff and volunteers do keeping Queenslanders safe,” he said.
A further $9.5 million has been allocated to the Minor Infrastructure Program, which assists in upgrading or delivering new infrastructure to active recreation organisations and sporting clubs across Queensland.
Multi-year action plans will deliver the final $5.5 million to three programs sitting under the Activate! Queensland 2019-2029 Strategy, which aims to get more people moving, more often.
$1.9 million will be delivered to the Active Clubs program, a program that funds not-for-profit organisations. $1.3 million is earmarked for the ActiveKIT program, while $2.3 million has been allocated to the Emerging Athletes Pathways program.
These three programs are focused on alleviating cost of living pressures, under an expansion of the FairPlay program.
Premier Miles said the funding was to ensure Queenslanders can maintain their way of living.
“Sporting clubs are at the heart of our communities and by assisting them deliver new and upgraded infrastructure, we are encouraging more community members to participate.
“It’s also imperative that we support our elite athletes and coaches to reach their full potential, particularly with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in sight,” the Premier said.
General Manager of Logan Basketball, Mitch Young, thanked the Queensland Government for its support.
“We want our organisation to be as welcoming and inclusive as possible, and programs like the Minor Infrastructure Program and Active Clubs assist us to have the facilities to make that happen,” Young said.
Further information on the Minor Infrastructure Program can be found here.
Information on the Active Clubs, ActiveKIT and Emerging Athletes Pathways Programs can be found here.
