It appears politicians are finally listening, or there are elections around the corner, as a raft of surf club grants to fund much-needed building works have been announced.
Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club recently received a visit from NSW Premier, following the recent announcement it had been successful in securing a grant to upgrade its clubhouse.
The Port Macquarie surf club was successful in receiving $238,000 through the NSW Government’s 2020/21 Surf Club Facility Program.
NSW Minister for Sport, Natalie Ward, said Tacking Point was among 29 clubs to share in $3.5 million funding in this years’ program.
“This funding will be vital for the club and the local community, who deserve state-of-the-art facilities,” Mrs Ward said.
“The Surf Club Facility Program has now been extended as part of this year’s upcoming budget to include $16 million over the next four years for surf clubs.
“Grants will be available for projects that create inclusive and accessible surf life-saving facilities that support increased participation; I encourage all clubs to apply when the next round opens.”
Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales said ensuring rescue facilities across NSW remained safe, accessible and secure was a top priority.
“Surf Life Saving Clubs are often the hub of their communities, and our volunteer lifesavers should have access to fit-for-purpose facilities so they can focus on saving lives. This allows significant upgrades to surf club facilities to improve access for our 75,000 members,” he said.
“With 129 clubs across the state, volunteer surf lifesavers performed 2,500 rescues, 141,000 preventative actions and 7,000 first aid treatments last year.”
The grant follows others across the country, including Carrum Surf Life Saving Club in Melbourne, which has secured funding for the expansion of its clubhouse. Kingston Council has agreed to spend $800,000 renovating the building with the Victorian Government putting in $1.5 million.
New upgrade proposals follow years of neglect, lack of finance and the rapid deterioration of life saving club spaces over recent decades. ClubTIC has recently reported on several grants and funding measures to stave off closure of buildings due to inadequate facilities.
SLSA is the largest volunteer movement in Australia, with more than 173,000 members and 314 affiliated surf clubs across the nation. In February, the Federal Government announced an additional $9.7 million in funding for SLSA that will go to equipment and skills training, but not infrastructure. Local councils, state governments and the clubs themselves have to carry that financial burden