61 individual projects across more than a third of the surf clubs in NSW underscore the $5.4 million commitment from the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facilities Program in 2026 – with all recipients formally announced at Wanda SLSC.
In total, 46 clubs – up from 38 this time last year – saw their applications approved, with Wanda, Bronte SLSC, North Narrabeen SLSC and Salt SLSC among the biggest beneficiaries.
As has been the determining criteria in previous years, grants of up to $1 million were rewarded to projects, in particular, that encouraged participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ members.
Wanda is down for nearly $800,000, to put towards interior alterations that will reappropriate the downstairs training space into a storage room for gear and equipment, and turn a space upstairs formerly occupied by a gym franchise into a multi-purpose space.
It will include member gym facilities, office and meeting room spaces, and a key vantage point of the beach for patrolling members on days of poor weather.
Bronte, North Narrabeen and Salt, meanwhile, will use contributions totalling approximately $1.7 million collectively to continue the works on the respective surf clubs that have already begun, ensuring long-term viability and ease of operation for the lifesaving services provided to the community.
Speaking at the announcement in Wanda, Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said that the NSW Government placed significant value on the contribution of surf clubs along our coastline.
“The Surf Club Facility Program provides critical funding to our surf life saving clubs to enable them to better protect beachgoers,” he said.
“The awarding of $5.458 million for 61 projects is part of our four-year $21.6 million commitment to ensure our Surf Life Saving Clubs are modern, safe and inclusive.”
Surf Life Saving NSW COO, Phil Ayres agreed, noting that the lifesaving movement in NSW is the fastest growing volunteer movement in the country.
“Our membership continues to grow and with more than 84,000 lifesavers and Nippers, providing safe, secure, and accessible facilities for members and the communities they protect is more important than ever,” he said.
2026 Surf Club Facilities Program Funding Recipients
Bilgola SLSC – $79,422 (2 projects)
Bronte SLSC – $777,066 (2 projects)
Broulee Surfers SLSC – $100,000
Byron Bay SLSC – $67,164 (2 projects)
Cabarita Beach SLSC – $25,877
Collaroy SLSC – $69,078
Crowdy Head SLSC – $136,650
Cudgen Headland SLSC – $100,000
Dee Why SLSC – $142,291 (2 projects)
Dixon Park SLSC – $84,225
Elouera SLSC – $75,820 (2 projects)
Forster SLSC – $87,938
Killcare SLSC – $25,700
Minnie Water Wooli SLSC – $54,530
Mona Vale SLSC – $91,915 (2 projects)
Narrabeen Beach SLSC – $25,287
Newport SLSC – $100,000
North Avoca SLSC – $70,000
North Cronulla SLSC – $100,000
North Curl Curl SLSC – $89,700
North Entrance SLSC – $90,0000
North Narrabeen SLSC – $600,000
Ocean Beach SLSC – $87,030 (3 projects)
Pambula SLSC – $37,193 (2 projects)
Port Kembla SLSC – $43,392
Queenscliff SLSC – $42,855
Salt SLSC – $345,345
Sawtell SLSC – $35,066
Shelly Beach SLSC – $15,591
Soldiers Beach SLSC – $31,650
South Curl Curl SLSC – $59,248
South West Rocks SLSC – $65,942
Stockton SLSC – $63,374
Swansea Belmont SLSC – $176,622 (2 projects)
Tamarama SLSC – $44,788
Taree Old Bar SLSC – $40,319
Terrigal SLSC – $24,567
The Entrance SLSC – $41,500
The Lakes SLSC – $96,626 (3 projects)
Thirroul SLSC – $55,882 (3 projects)
Toowoon Bay SLSC – $86,880
Wamberal SLSC – $86,513
Wanda SLSC – $782,588
Wauchope Bonny Hills SLSC – $42,000
Woonona SLSC – $136,366 (2 projects)
Yamba SLSC – $24,000
Friday 17 April 2026
