Coogee SLSC and Maroubra SLSC are the biggest beneficiaries of the latest round of funding through the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facilities Grant – two in a total of 38 clubs to share in a pool of $5.4 million this year.
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper confirmed that more than a quarter of the state’s surf clubs saw their applications approved in a major announcement at Coogee on 3 April.
In 2025 the grants of up to $1 million rewarded projects, in particular, that encourage participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ members.
Coogee will receive $900,000 to put towards refurbishment of the ground floor of the clubhouse, which will include upgrades to amenities, changerooms and the training room. The total cost is estimated to be just over $2.1 million, meaning the club is nearly halfway to the overall total required.
Maroubra, meanwhile, is working towards a redevelopment of the entire clubhouse which will include a new lift, upgraded changerooms, enhanced storage and fire safety upgrades. They will receive $940,000.
“We are pleased to see the NSW Government directly support the vital contribution made by our volunteer lifesavers and surf clubs in NSW,” SLSNSW President, Peter Agnew AM said.
“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.”
Other clubs to be awarded six figure sums include Austinmer SLSC who will see $282,900 put towards essential bathroom and shower facility upgrades, while Coffs Harbour SLSC are to be given $160,510.56 for structural repairs at the club.
“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,” Minister Kamper said.
“The $5.4 million funding awarded by the NSW Government will ensure our Surf Life Saving Clubs across NSW remain modern and accessible so that surf lifesavers can continue their invaluable work.”
“Projects announced here will encourage increased participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and the LGBTQIA+ community,” added Minister Dib.
“Every year more and more people from all sections of the community are participating in Surf Life Saving and it’s only through programs like the Surf Club Facility Program that we are able to make clubs inclusive and accessible.”
2025 Surf Club Facilities Grant Recipients
Austinmer SLSC – $282,900
Bilgola SLSC – $312,370
Cabarita Beach SLSC – $99,733.28
Cape Hawke SLSC – $92,849
Catherine Hill Bay SLSC – $54,376
Caves Beach SLSC – $32,663
Coffs Harbour SLSC – $160,510.56
Collaroy SLSC – $44,000
Coogee SLSC – $900,000
Dee Why SLSC – $215,425
Elouera SLSC – $156,950
Fairy Meadow SLSC – $30,030
Forster SLSC – $74,597.30
Gerringong SLSC – $98,000
Hat Head SLSC – $55,980
Kiama SLSC – $84,100
Long Reef SLSC – $71,409.09
Maroubra SLSC – $940,000
Nambucca Heads SLSC – $129,500
Narrabeen Beach SLSC – $47,294
Newcastle SLSC – $85,734
North Curl Curl SLSC – $98,738
North Entrance SLSC – $90,908
North Steyne SLSC – $181,582.80
Nowra Culburra SLSC – $78,160
Ocean Beach SLSC – $94,045
Pacific Palms SLSC – $114,541.81
Scarborough Wombarra SLSC – $30,000
Shelly Beach SLSC – $122,454.75
Soldiers Beach SLSC – $30,600
South Curl Curl SLSC – $34,377
South Narrabeen SLSC – $216,954.28
Swansea Belmont SLSC – $81,294
Taree Old Bar SLSC – $48,266.73
Urunga SLSC – $31,561.57
Warilla Barrack Point SLSC – $53,899
Warriewood SLSC – $86,940
Wollongong City SLSC – $56,824
Thursday 3 April 2025