Three surf life saving clubs in the Swansea electorate have caught a financial break after the Minns Labor Government announced recipients in the 2024/25 Surf Club Facility Program.
The clubs were among 38 to share in $5.4 million funding for the upgrade, restoration or construction of surf life saving facilities to keep them modern and accessible to the community, and so local surf life savers can better protect beachgoers.
Grants up to $1 million were available in the Program with projects that encourage participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ a priority.
Local clubs to receive funding include:
- Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club - $32,663 to install the club’s first solar system to help reduce the club’s carbon footprint.
- Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club - $81,294 to upgrade the function area and install a solar power system.
- Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club - $54,376 to upgrade storage facilities to help improve response times.
For the full list of recipients and further information on the Program visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/surf-club-facility-program
Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley MP said:
“Swansea surf life saving volunteers proved once again this summer that they are the unsung heroes of our community, protecting locals and visitors in the water.
“These will contribute towards the development of modern, fit for purpose facilities that enables local surf life savers to better protect the community and continue to deliver a world-class service.
“I am a longtime support of surf life saving and congratulate the clubs on receiving a grant and look forward to the benefits these projects will offer the Swansea community.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“This summer has again illustrated the vital job our surf life savers do protecting swimmers and keeping people safe at beaches along the NSW coast.
“The $5.4 million funding awarded by the NSW Government today will ensure our surf life saving clubs across NSW remain modern and accessible so that surf life savers can continue their invaluable work.
“This funding is part of a four-year $16 million commitment from the NSW Government to support NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs to continue to deliver a world-class service.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“The red and yellow flags on our beaches are a welcome sight and our surf life savers helped perform more than 2,400 rescues this summer.
“We know communities are drawn to our beautiful coastline and by investing in our surf life saving clubs and providing modern facilities we support our volunteers who make our beaches safer.
“Our surf life savers represent the communities they serve and by improving access to these clubs we ensure more people can enjoy them when they visit our beaches.”
President of Surf Life Saving NSW Peter Agnew said:
“We are pleased to see the NSW Government directly support the vital contribution made by our volunteer lifesavers and surf clubs in NSW.
“Our growing membership of over 80,000 lifesavers and Nippers deserve safe, secure, and accessible facilities. This program allows those members, who do such important work volunteering at our beaches, to focus on saving lives.”
