The latest round of the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Grant Program has opened for 2024/25, with surf clubs up and down the coastline able to apply for funding from a pool of $5.4 million.
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper and Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib announced on Thursday 12 September that applications were now open, with funds available to go towards the upgrade, restoration, and construction of Surf Life Saving facilities.
Last season over $5 million was allocated to surf clubs in NSW – major among them grants of $1 million to Bronte SLSC and Bondi SBLSC as contributions to the early stages of overall clubhouse redevelopment, $632,343 to North Narrabeen SLSC, $398,663 to Ocean Beach SLSC, and $357,426.51 to Merewether SLSC.
In all, 32 clubs benefitted from the most recent round of funding, and Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM hopes many more can take advantage of the funding this year.
“We are pleased to see the NSW Government acknowledge and support the amazing contribution made by our volunteer lifesavers and surf clubs in NSW,” he said.
“Our lifesavers and Nippers deserve safe, secure, and accessible facilities. We have 129 clubs across the state, with over 78,000 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 $1,000,000 through the program, with three categories – being Facility Improvement Projects, Small-Medium Construction Projects and Large Construction Projects – offering tiered funding support and a streamlined application process.
Projects that encourage the participation of women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ are a priority of the Program.
“With the Surf Life Saving season just a few weeks away, we’re providing an additional $5.4 million to our clubs to help them protect swimmers and keep people safe at the beach,” Minister Kamper said.
“This is part of a four-year $16 million commitment from the NSW Government to ensure NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs continue to deliver a world-class service.
Minister Dib said the funding is a vital investment in an important community service.
“As the weather warms up, we know that the red and yellow flags on our beaches will be a welcome sight, and this investment will support our volunteers by providing them with club facilities they need to support communities,” he said.
“The NSW Government is investing in new equipment, safety campaigns and upgraded facilities to support surf lifesaving volunteers and the work they do to keep swimmers safe.”
Applications for this round of grants close on differing dates by category. Category 1 applications, being Facility Improvement Projects, close on 14 October 2024, while Category 2 and 3 applications, being Small-Medium Construction Projects and Large Construction Projects, close on 11 November 2024.
Friday 13 September 2024