Funding for surf life saving clubs

Coffs Harbour and Bellinger Valley North Beach SLSC's have been granted state government funding.

Trevor Veale

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COFFS Harbour's state MP Andrew Fraser has announced combined funding of $206,380 for the Coffs Harbour and Bellinger Valley North Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs.

"The primary focus of the Surf Club Facility Grant program is to assist Surf Life Saving Clubs develop their facilities to help increase usage and member numbers, which ultimately will benefit the wider community," Mr Fraser said.

"The local members of both these Surf Clubs do an outstanding job patrolling our beaches and the grants will assist the clubs to upgrade their facilities.

"The Coffs Harbour Surf Club will receive $165,800 for the construction of disabled access facilities and a surf patrol observation shelter and the Bellinger Valley North Beach Surf Club will receive $30,580 for a new kitchen, windows and doors."

NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley said the NSW Government is committed to Surf Life Saving NSW having upgraded facilities to support the hard work of surf lifesavers and provide valued community assets.

"There are over 120 surf clubs along the NSW coastline patrolling more than 200 beaches during the surf season and each and every one of them is a credit to their community," Mr Annesley said.

"In addition to this round of funding the NSW Government has committed a further $2m per annum for 2013 and 2014 to assist Surf Live Saving clubs in providing the facilities and services required to enhance beach goer's safety."

Mr Fraser said the local Surf Club was an integral part of the local community providing an invaluable contribution to water safety in NSW.

"The dedicated volunteers of the surf lifesaving movement deserve our support and I hope the funding announced today will be of long term benefit to the Club and the community," he said.