Significant clubhouse improvements are planned for Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, funded by a $900,000 grant from a recently announced $5.4 million state initiative to upgrade facilities at 38 surf clubs across NSW.
Funding Announcement
The funds come from the state government’s 2024/25 Surf Club Facility Programme, designed to support essential community hubs along the coast. Minister for Sport Steve Kamper and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib joined Surf Life Saving NSW officials and volunteers at Coogee Surf Life Saving Club to announce the successful grant recipients from this latest round.
This investment is part of a larger four-year, $16 million commitment from the NSW Government to support the state’s surf clubs.
Focus on Community Access
The programme provides money to Surf Lifesaving Clubs to upgrade, restore, or construct their facilities. The main goals are to keep these buildings modern and accessible for everyone in the community.
Special consideration was given to projects encouraging more participation from women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Better facilities also help surf lifesavers perform their vital role in protecting people visiting the beaches.
Coogee Club Upgrades
Coogee Surf Life Saving Club’s $900,000 grant is earmarked for a major refurbishment of the clubhouse’s ground floor. This work will involve upgrading essential amenities, improving changerooms, and enhancing the club’s training room, ensuring better facilities for volunteers and the public.
Other Clubs Benefit
While Coogee Surf Life Saving Club received a significant share, 38 clubs across NSW benefited from grants of up to $1 million each in this round. Other major projects funded include Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, which received $940,000 for redevelopment works, including a new lift, updated changerooms, more storage space, and fire safety improvements.
Further north, Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club was granted $312,370 for bathroom upgrades and an outdoor pergola, while Austinmer Surf Life Saving Club received $282,900 to improve its bathrooms and showers. The NSW Office of Sport website has a complete list of recipients.
Supporting Volunteers and Safety
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper stated that the past summer again showed the vital job surf lifesavers do in protecting swimmers and keeping people safe along the NSW coast. He added that the $5.4 million in funding will ensure surf clubs remain modern and accessible so volunteers can continue their invaluable work.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib noted that the familiar red and yellow flags are a welcome sight on beaches and that lifesavers performed over 2,400 rescues this past summer. He explained that investing in modern facilities supports the volunteers who make beaches safer and that improving access helps ensure more people from the diverse communities they serve can enjoy the coastline safely.
Surf Life Saving NSW President Peter Agnew appreciated the state government’s direct support for the crucial contribution made by volunteer lifesavers and their clubs. He remarked that the organisation’s growing membership, now over 80,000 lifesavers and Nippers, deserves safe, secure, and accessible facilities. Mr Agnew concluded that this programme allows members doing important volunteer work to better focus on saving lives.
Published Date 28-April-2025
