Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club will receive more than $150,000 to undertake an urgent facility upgrade through the NSW Nationals’ Surf Club Facility Program.
Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the funds will be utilised to replace the 40-year-old original tile roof.
“The 700 square metre roof dates back to 1983 and has been in need of regular maintenance work and urgent replacing for some time,” Mr Singh said.
“Thanks to this funding boost the surf club’s entire roof will be replaced, with preliminary discussions with local suppliers already under way to get the job done.
“The huge number of visitors we’re seeing over the busy summer period highlights why it’s crucial for our surf clubs to have up-to-date facilities to protect both visitors and locals on our beaches.”
Nationals Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said more than 20,000 volunteer lifesavers patrol 129 coastal locations every weekend and public holiday between October and April.
“The work of our volunteers is quite literally life-saving and I’m very grateful for the thousands of rescues they’ve undertaken this summer to protect locals and visitors to our coastline,” Ms Cooke said.
Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales said ensuring surf clubs across NSW are maintained and upgraded is vitally important.
“Our volunteers deserve safe, accessible and secure facilities in order to train new lifesavers and support the community. Many surf clubs have been on the frontline in the last year, responding to incidents and emergencies including the recent flood disaster, and they need to be able to safely store and access vital rescue equipment at short notice,” Mr Shales said.
