Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club has received funding to continue its expansion plans. Photo: Region.
As the summer beach patrol season comes to a close, three Illawarra Surf Life Saving clubs are celebrating funding boosts to upgrade and construct buildings.
Volunteer surf lifesavers patrol 129 NSW beaches on weekends and public holidays from September until the flags come down on Sunday 26 April.
The NSW Government recently announced $5.45 million for 61 surf clubs across the state for projects to upgrade, restore or construct new Surf Life Saving facilities.
Three Illawarra clubs received a share of the funding.
Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club will receive $43,392 towards the construction of a new facility that will consolidate two existing, outdated structures into a single, modern surf rescue and club storage hub.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully said surf clubs and their volunteers played a vital role in the Illawarra to ensure locals and visitors were safe at our beaches.
“Port Kembla Surf Club has been working towards a modern surf rescue and club facility for some time and this grant will really help to push the project along,” he said.
“It has been undertaking a number of projects to improve their facilities and help to not only provide a better service on the sand but also help to attract and retain members.”
Woonona Surf Life Saving Club received funding for two projects – $71,080 to improve storage of patrol equipment and $65,286 towards making the club’s upstairs area more accessible and inclusive.
The club is upgrading its board and equipment storage system to improve safety, access and efficiency and align with Safe Work Australia’s WHS standards to reduce manual handling risks and enhance rescue readiness.
Upgrades to the upstairs clubhouse will make community and training spaces accessible and inclusive to support lifesaving operations, community programs and participation for all ages and abilities.
Thirroul Surf Club’s funding will go towards replacing air conditioning ($20,359) and outdated and inefficient refrigeration systems ($16,803).
The club also received $18,720 to replace its ageing security system with a modern, reliable system to protect equipment and improve monitoring of the building.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief operating officer Phil Ayres welcomed the funding, which he said would assist more than a third of the state’s clubs to remain fit for purpose.
Mr Ayres said the lifesaving movement in NSW was 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.
