Bilgola Big Winner in 2024-25 NSW Government's Surf Club Facilities Grants: Over 1.3 Million allocated to local clubs
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 Thursday April 3.
The Program aims to assist eligible Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW to create new and upgraded inclusive and accessible facilities incorporating best practice design principles that:
- Remove barriers to participation in sport and recreation for everyone but particularly for women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ people
- Increase the use of Surf Life Saving facilities by other community groups and/or the public
- Improve safety at Surf Life Saving facilities and the beaches they patrol
- Improve the financial and/or environmental sustainability of surf clubs
Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club will receive $312,370 to put towards a critical upgrade to Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club’s bathrooms and outdoor pergola, enhancing member use and improving the club’s suitability for community events and venue hire.
''These updates will ensure a safer, more functional facility for both lifesaving and club operations and the broader community.'' the club stated in its application.
Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club has been granted $86,940 for a Solar system. Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club will install a 40.94 kW solar system with battery storage, reducing energy costs and supporting sustainability. This initiative benefits club members and the community by ensuring more funds are available for lifesaving activities and facility upgrades, ultimately enhancing service reliability and reducing the club's environmental footprint.
The Pittwater Electorate has also seen Narrabeen Beach Surf Life Saving Club allocated $47,294 for Solar Panels and a Battery System.
Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club plans to install a 26.4 kW solar energy system with 2 Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries and Backup Gateway. This project will enhance energy efficiency and resilience, reducing reliance on grid power and ensuring continuous operation during outages. The installation supports long-term sustainability and cost savings.
South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club has also been allocated $216,954 as part of the Pittwater Electorates grants - this will be put towards South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club in its 101st year.
'This initiative will benefit the community by investing in upgrades like solar power, air conditioning, and modern facilities. These improvements will attract more events, increase revenue, and ensure financial independence, allowing the club to provide top-quality community services for another 100 years.' South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club stated
A 'Warringah' grant of $34,337 has been allocated to South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club. This will be put towards Minor works for Hall Acoustic Improvements. The Project entails works to add acoustic tiles, door seals and other improvements to hard surfaces in the community hall at South Curl Curl to reduce acoustic scatter for public speaking. The club is a 1930's building and is used for training events, community functions, and demographics who have difficulty hearing speech.
Dee Why SLSC will benefit from the $215,425 allocated to their upgrade of Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club’s bathroom and changing facilities through demolition, plumbing, tiling, electrical, and carpentry work. Expected outcomes include modernised, durable, and functional spaces that enhance user comfort and safety, supporting increased use by club members and the community for this Manly Electorate surf club.
The Manly Electorate also sees North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club granted $98,738 for 'Enhancing Community Engagement and Financial Resilience'.
This project will transform North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club’s facilities, relocating and expanding the wet area/bar to support community gatherings and social events. The improvements will foster stronger community ties, support member retention, and encourage new lifesaving memberships by creating a vibrant, family-friendly, and welcoming social space.
The biggest allocation for Manly's surf clubs is $181,583 for North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club's Building Upgrade project.
North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1907. The building opened in 1934 and is in a state of disrepair. The proposed works provides building upgrades which are urgently required. The project is being run in conjunction with Northern Beaches Council and comprises exterior upgrades, new guttering/fascia, and upgrading internal walls.
Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club has been allocated $44,000 towards a Training Education & Development Space (TEDS).
'The TEDS extension will benefit club members and the broader community by expanding the current facility, providing improved equipment and space for lifesaving education and development. This will create an adaptable space, fit for purpose, yet adaptable, functional in all weather and expansion for underrepresented groups.' Collaroy stated in its application
A further $71,409 was granted to the Wakehurst Electorate for Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club for their Sustainable Energy Project.
The grant will help upgrade the existing solar system and installation of batteries to enable Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club to generate >100% of its electrical energy needs.
“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.”
“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.”
The full list of grants is available in Surf Club Facility Program 2024-25 Recipients.
Member for Manly, James Griffin extended his congratulations to Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club, North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club, and North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club who were all listed as successful recipients of this year’s program.
“The Manly Electorate is home to some of the best and busiest beaches in the country, and our dedicated surf lifesaving volunteers who give up their time to protect the public deserve to have the resources they need to keep our beaches safe,” Mr Griffin said.
“This means having access to equipment and facilities that are modern, safe and fit for purpose, and the Surf Club Facility Program is critical to ensuring this.
"I welcome this funding announcement and congratulate Dee Why, North Curl Curl, and North Steyne Surf Life Saving Clubs on being named as successful recipients. Each club will receive a significant boost, and I’m confident this support will help our local surf lifesavers continue the vital work they do for our community."
Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby said “Surf clubs are the heart of our beaches community. We love our beach lifestyle and getting out in the ocean in Pittwater, but we rely on our surf clubs to keep us safe, train and accommodate our volunteers and educate our kids,”
“This NSW funding is to improve facilities to help surf clubs support our community. I’m particularly pleased to see it being used to install solar and batteries that will reduce energy costs for the clubs and reduce emissions. These are smart investments.”
“I congratulate these clubs on receiving these grants and for their contribution to our community. Pittwater surf lifesaving volunteers proved once again this summer that they are the heroes of our beaches, protecting locals and visitors in the water.”
“Surf lifesaving clubs are powered by volunteers and every effort needs to be made to get people engaged early in their clubs. Good facilities are crucial to engage members, from as young as Nippers to more senior volunteers – these upgrades will provide crucial services.”
“Surf lifesaving clubs also give back to those who volunteer for them, giving them a sense of community and belonging. Members who have hardship or accidents often tell me of the vital role their SLS colleagues have played in supporting them through their recovery or hard times.” the Pittwater Independent MP said.
