Eight surf clubs in the Robertson electorate will receive a funding boost to help prevent drownings at local beaches this summer.
Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks, a member of Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, said the Australian Government would provide $25,000 to each of the surf clubs over the next fi ve years. “The funding will assist Avoca Beach, Umina, Ocean Beach, Killcare, MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, North Avoca and Terrigal Surf Clubs to purchase vital new rescue equipment, and fi rst aid and medical supplies, so their life savers can continue to save lives,” Ms Wicks said. “This is a great honour to announce. “I was out on patrol last Sunday at Terrigal, so I know fi rst-hand some of the dangerous conditions we do encounter on our beaches and how important this equipment is to save lives. “The clubs do such great work with outstanding volunteers to keep our beaches safe. “There was actually a shark alarm at Terrigal last weekend, and to see how the patrol captain and volunteers worked together, such as getting the boat and jet skis out on the water, showed how passionate and skilful these members of our community are to keep everyone safe. “On the Central Coast in 2013-14, there were 956 lives saved, 37,322 preventative actions, more than 1,000 fi rst aid cases, and no lives lost. “That’s thanks to the more than 8,000 volunteers, with 2,000 of them patrolling on the sand and in the water for a combined time of more 94,000 hours,” Ms Wicks said. Each of Australia’s 311 surf lifesaving clubs will receive the funding over fi ve years from the Australian Government’s $8 million Beach Safety Equipment Fund. Ms Wicks said that in addition to this, the Australian Government is providing $2 million for the Beach Drowning Black Spot Reduction Programme which aims to reduce drowning at dangerous beaches and provide public safety programmes that highlight coastal hazards such as rip currents and rock fi shing. These programmes are part of the government’s $15 million package to cut drowning deaths across the nation. It includes $4 million to assist the Royal Life Saving Society to prevent drownings in inland waterways and an existing $1 million a year to produce, develop and distribute water safety messages, DVDs and educational material targeting more than 1.5 million Australian children aged up to four years. “The educational material developed by former Olympic swimming coach Laurie Lawrence delivers key water safety messages to youngsters in a fun and engaging way. “They are being distributed nationally to child care centres, kindergartens and play groups and are available online at www.kidsalive.com.au,” Ms Wicks said.
Media release, 9 Dec 2014
Tim Sowden, Office of
Lucy Wicks MP