NSW Budget: Surf Club facility funding doubled to $4 million

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres and Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith made the announcement today at Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, which was extensively damaged in large storm last June.

“From nippers to senior patrollers, members of Surf Life Saving Clubs provide an amazing service to the people of NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“With 129 surf clubs across NSW, this $4 million investment will bring significant upgrades to surf club facilities, improving access for the 76,000 volunteer surf life savers.”

Mr Perrottet said “We rely on the skill and passion of volunteer surf lifesavers and this injection of funding will ensure lifesavers have the support they need to do their work.”

“Surf Life Saving Clubs are a hub for tens of thousands of volunteer lifesavers patrolling our beaches, allowing all age groups to learn about and contribute to water safety," Mr Ayres said.

Surf Life Saving NSW Acting CEO Adam Weir said the increase in funding is recognition of the contribution surf life saving clubs make across the community.

“Not just an important home base for volunteers patrolling our beaches, surf clubs are hive of community activity, used for training courses, community gatherings and sporting events,” Mr Weir said.

In 2016/17 volunteer surf lifesavers performed almost 5,000 rescues, 126,000 preventative actions and 15,750 first aid treatments.

This financial year surf clubs who had previously already reached the maxium cap of $400,000 will be eligible for facility funding again.