On Friday April 17 it was announced that five Surf Life Saving Clubs in the Pittwater have shared in $896,624 in funding for new and upgraded facilities as part of the NSW Government’s $5.45 million Surf Club Facility Program.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said: “Our local surf life saving clubs are at the heart of Pittwater, keeping us safe, building surf skills and bringing our community together.
“These grants will support our local clubs to better protect beach goers and contribute towards the development of modern, fit for purpose facilities that enable local surf life savers to continue to deliver a world-class service”.
“I look forward to the benefits these projects will offer the Pittwater community - including some major upgrades.”
Ms Scruby also highlighted that Pittwater received a proportionally large part of the overall grant. “We have 9% of NSW’s Surf Lifesaving Clubs but received 16% of this funding round - that’s a huge win for Pittwater.”
The Pittwater surf life saving clubs have received funding for the following projects:
⦁ North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club Inc $600,000 for Stage 2 building works, delivering upgraded member facilities to deliver upgraded facilities including main hall, cafe, storage and training areas.
Stage 2 will deliver upgraded member facilities at North Narrabeen Surf Club, including improvements to the main hall, café, storage and training areas, creating a modern, multi-purpose community hub that enhances lifesaving operations, supports youth development, and increases accessibility, functionality, and community use.
⦁ Newport Surf Life Saving Club $100,000 for detailed design and documentation for Construction Certificate approval for its heritage-listed clubhouse upgrade.
The Club will progress Detailed Design and Documentation to achieve Construction Certificate approval for its heritage-listed clubhouse upgrade. Specialist consultants across architecture, engineering, heritage, access, and environmental disciplines will ensure full compliance, delivering a shovel-ready, inclusive, and environmentally responsible design for future construction.
⦁ Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club $91,915 for the upgrade of the equipment storage area flooring and installation storage racks
The storage area requires additional steel racks to enable better storage of surf rescue boards and other boards used by club members. It will be a combination of vertical and horizontal racks but predomiantely vertical for easy access to all club members (regardless of person height).
The club will resurface the storage area floor to reslope and install compliant, non-slip tiles to address flooding and safety hazards. The upgrade will eliminate pooling, reduce slip risk in wet conditions, and ensure the space meets current Work Health & Safety standards for volunteers and operational use.
⦁ Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club, $79,422 for the installation of a new cool room to provide more room for equipment and upgrading its control and alarm system.
We will replace two deteriorated 1970s cool rooms with one modern, energy-efficient cool room positioned in a safer, more accessible corner of the gear shed. The new unit will free valuable space for rescue equipment and boards, improve member safety and workflow, and support bar, function, and Nippers catering operations.
Bilgola SLSC will upgrade its outdated access control and alarm system with a modern, cloud-based security system. The project will improve member and visitor safety, safeguard lifesaving equipment, and ensure reliable 24/7 monitoring and control of the facility, reducing risk of theft, vandalism, and unauthorised access.
⦁ Narrabeen Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc $25,287 for a safety and security upgrade project.
This project will improve safety and security for members and the public at Narrabeen Beach Surf Lifesaving Club through the installation of CCTV cameras and an upgraded security system, and by repairing damaged clubhouse flooring to prevent injuries, ensuring a safer environment for lifesaving operations, training, and community activities.
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Newport SLSC, January 2026. Photo: AJG/PON
Other allocations across the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula for the Manly and Wakehurst electorates include:
Collaroy Surf Lifesaving Club, $69,078.00, for the Collaroy SLSC Venue Sustainability Project – Coolroom & Systems Upgrade
Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club seeks support to upgrade its coolroom and beverage system, ensuring sustainable revenue generation and enabling the Club to host member events and provide free facilities for likeminded local community groups and charities, delivering annual savings of over $7,000.
Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club Incorporated, $53,830.00, for the Club Roof Upgrade
Replacement of deteriorated roofing on sections of Dee Why SLSC using marine-grade Colorbond Ultra sheeting and insulation to improve weather protection, safety, and durability and prepare the Club for a solar-upgrade. The works address existing leaks and structural deterioration, ensuring the clubhouse remains functional for volunteers and the wider community.
Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club Incorporated, $88,461.00, for the Nippers and Patrol Kitchen Upgrade
Upgrade of the Club’s Nippers & Patrol Kitchen to provide a safe, functional space for Nipper families and patrolling members. Works replace ageing fixtures, install plumbing, improve hygiene, accessibility and compliance, and support club operations including Nippers, patrols, community outreach programs and water-safety education initiatives.
North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club, $89,700.00, for the Club Security and Technology Upgrade Project
We will upgrade our access control, CCTV, Wi-Fi, and audio-visual systems to create a safer, more connected, and future-ready clubhouse. These improvements will strengthen security, protect assets, support training and community use, and improve operational sustainability for members, lifeguards, and the wider North Curl Curl community.
Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, $42,855.00, for the Installation of solar panels and battery storage
We will install 32.78 kW rooftop PV, made up of 69 × 475 W solar panels, 2 × 12 kW three-phase hybrid Anker inverters, paired with 50 kWh of battery storage, Anker inverters and batteries carry an anti-corrosion rating of C5-M (M = marine). All items suited to the location of Surf Clubs
South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club Inc,$59,248.00, for the South Curl Curl SLSC Redevelopment - Design Package (Post DA)
We are seeking funding for the detailed design and documentation required once our DA is lodged at the end of January 2026. This includes 3D modelling, architectural and construction drawings, engineering design, assessment reports, survey work, certifier fees and the documentation needed to progress to Construction Certificate stage.
Grants up to $1 million were available for projects that involve the upgrade, restoration or construction of new surf life saving facilities.
This year’s Program also included grants for project design and planning, ensuring surf club projects are supported from concept to completion.
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.
For further information and the full list of recipients visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/surf-club-facility-program
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper stated:
“The Surf Club Facility Program provides critical funding to our surf life saving clubs to enable them to better protect beachgoers.
“The awarding of $5.48 million for 61 projects is part of our four-year $21.6 million commitment to ensure our Surf Life Saving Clubs are modern, safe and inclusive.
“Wanda Surf Life Saving Club’s redevelopment project will support lifesaving, unite members and strengthen community connections.
“Once completed, these 61 projects will ensure our surf life saving clubs can continue to deliver a world-class service and keep our beaches safe.
Chief Operating Officer of Surf Life Saving NSW Phil Ayres said:
“Across NSW there are 129 surf clubs that are pillars of safety within their communities, sustained by a growing volunteer membership of over 85,000.
"The NSW Government’s support through the Surf Club Facilities Program will assist more than a third of our clubs, through 61 individual projects in 2026, to remain fit for purpose and give our volunteer lifesavers the facilities they need to ensure they can be rescue ready should the worst happen on our coastline.
“Not only this, but the funding from this Program delivers safe, secure, and accessible facilities for members and the communities that they protect."
