With the Nippers season in full swing for 2023 and people flocking to the beaches as summer approaches, Clarence Valley Surf Life Saving Clubs can now apply for funding to improve their facilities with $5.25 million available in the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.
The program is designed to not only keep Surf Life Saving Clubs modern and accessible, but also to help life savers to better protect beachgoers.
It also aims to increase 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.
With upgraded and accessible facilities, it is hoped to increase the use of Surf Life Saving facilities by community groups and the public, improve safety at Surf Life Saving facilities and the beaches they patrol, and improve the financial and/or environmental sustainability of surf clubs.
Surf Life Saving NSW President Peter Agnew welcomed the NSW Government funding.
“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 facilities in which to train and store vital rescue equipment, as well as somewhere accessible which welcomes the community in to be part of our great and iconic movement.”
Surf Clubs can receive grants of up to $1 million for the upgrade, restoration, or construction of these critical Surf Life Saving facilities.
The program features three categories, category 1, for facility improvements projects with a total cost less than $100,000, for which applications close at 1pm on December 11, 2023, and the project must be completed within 12 months of grant notification.
Category 2 is for small to medium construction projects costing between $100,000 and $500,000, and Category 3 is for large construction projects that cost more than $500,000, with the applications for both category 2 and 3 closing at 1pm on January 31, 2024.
Category 2 projects must be completed within 24 months of being notified about the grant and Category 3 projects within 36 months.
Applicants will be advised of their application outcomes from April 2024.
For more information and to apply for a grant visit https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/surf-club-facility-program