SWANSEA ELECTORATE SURF LIFESAVING

As a member representing a coastal electorate, the start of the surf lifesaving season is always an important event in our community. On Saturday 28 September, the red and yellow flags returned to our beaches and our amazing surf lifesaving volunteers were out on patrol. It is a reminder to all beachgoers to swim between the flags, particularly for those visiting our region who may be unfamiliar with our local waterways. The Swansea electorate is home to five surf lifesaving clubs, including Redhead Surf Life Saving Club, Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club, Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Lakes Surf Life Saving Club.

The clubs are powered by volunteers who give up their time to run the administrative side of the club, organise and run Nippers programs and, critically, patrol our beaches to keep the community safe. Our community is extremely proud of our surf lifesavers for the work they do. We also have a strong tradition—which is being continued by our current crop of surf lifesaving athletes—of performing at surf lifesaving carnivals with great success. As a surf lifesaver, I have been a strong supporter of our surf lifesaving clubs, and so has the Minns Labor Government.

The five surf clubs in the Swansea electorate have received more than $100,000 in funding from election commitments, including $16,000 to Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club to purchase two motors and a trailer to assist with operation of inflatable rescue boats and $20,000 for Lakes Surf Club for a new emergency response trailer. I went to see that last week, and it is fabulous. There was $22,000 for the Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club for the purchase of an inflatable rescue boat and motor. Again, I went to see that a few weeks ago, and it is a great purchase. There was $24,000 to Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club to purchase an all-terrain vehicle. I have driven that, which was a bit of fun. There was also $24,000 given to Redhead Surf Life Saving Club for the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle.

The Government has also invested $5 million in surf clubs across the State in the 2023-24 round of the Surf Club Facility program. In the Swansea electorate, that includes more than $38,00 for the Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club to upgrade CCTV and security and more than $31,000 for the Lakes Surf Life Saving Club to improve energy efficiency and provide lighting upgrades and a new garage door. The 2024-25 round of the Surf Club Facility program for categories 2 and 3 is still open, and I encourage all the clubs to apply. There is $5.4 million available in funding.

The New South Wales Government is also investing in emergency response beacons at locations along the coast, including at Fraser Park in the electorate of Swansea. This is one of the most dangerous pieces of coastline in the State. In my time as the member for Swansea, I have seen too many lives lost at this location. The beach at Fraser Park is not patrolled outside of the holiday period. This beacon will allow surf lifesavers to have visibility over the beach. I am hopeful that fewer deaths will occur with this beacon to assist surf lifesavers and to make the beach safer. I thank all of the surf lifesaving volunteers across the State. I urge everyone to stay safe on our beaches this season and to swim between the flags.