More than $5 million will be made available to surf clubs up and down the NSW coastline with the continuation of the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Grant Program.
Minister for Sport, Alistair Henskens and Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Steph Cooke announced on Wednesday 5 October that applications were now open, with funds available to go towards the upgrade, restoration, and construction of Surf Life Saving facilities.
Last year nearly $4 million was allocated to surf clubs in NSW – major among them a grant of $500,000 to Cabarita Beach SLSC for critical upgrades to the clubhouse, a further $500,000 to Terrigal SLSC for construction of a club training room and member gym, and $412,000 to North Cronulla SLSC for upgrades around its in-facility pool.
In all, 22 clubs benefitted from the most recent round of funding, and Surf Life Saving NSW President, George Shales hopes even more clubs can take advantage of the funding this year.
“Last year our volunteer surf lifesavers performed nearly 3,000 rescues, 114,000 preventative actions and almost 8,000 first aid treatments,” he said.
“The Surf Club Facility Program will support the ongoing important community service our lifesavers deliver.
“We have 129 clubs across the state, with 76,000 members, and this program allows those members, who do such important work volunteering at our beaches, to focus on saving lives.”
Clubs will be able to apply for up to $650,000 through the program.
“Whether you’re going to the beach to have a swim, surf or participate in Nippers, our surf clubs are often the hub of their communities and our lifesavers are the unsung heroes, protecting swimmers in and out of the water,” Mr Henskens said.
“This funding will ensure that surf clubs along the NSW coast are the best they can be while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for their communities.”
Applications for this round of grants close on 1 November 2022.
Thursday 6 October 2022