Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and its 15 surf clubs will today receive $147,000 in funding from Central Coast Council as part of an annual commitment to help them continue their vital beach safety work.

“Safety on our beaches is incredibly important as thousands of local residents and visitors enjoy the Central Coast’s beautiful beaches each year, which are a key part of our way of life,” said Ian Reynolds, Council Administrator.

“This funding enables SLSCC’s volunteers to work closely with Council’s own Lifeguard service to improve safety and rescue standards across the Central Coast and keep our beaches safe,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Last season, volunteer lifesavers saved over 1,162 lives, prevented nearly 21,388 people from getting into difficulty and contributed over 97,400 volunteer hours keeping the public safe at our beaches - and I would like to thank them for their efforts,” Mr Reynolds said.

The clubs also run training and education programs at the beaches and in schools which reached over 29,600 Central Coast children last season. This invaluable education encourages beach safety and connects families and young people across the Central Coast region.

“Today’s cheque is part of a long and successful partnership between Council and SLSCC and is just one part of Council’s overall multi-million commitment to our beaches and to keeping beach safety across the Coast at the highest standard,” Mr Reynolds said.

SLSCC President, Stuart Harvey, said everyone at SLSCC is extremely grateful for the positive relationship they have with Council and for the ongoing friendship and support they receive.

“The opportunity now is for SLSCC and the newly amalgamated Council to work together to provide even further consistency in beach safety service levels across the Central Coast,” Mr Harvey said.

“Our 15 surf clubs and the branch are thankful for Council’s continued recognition of the service we provide and our importance to the community,” he said.

“The funds we receive from Council are instrumental in ensuring we can continue to provide this important lifesaving service to the beach going community.

“Our relationship with Council is a significant one and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them into the future to keep our community safe,” Mr Harvey said.

The fifteen surf clubs are Avoca SLSC, Copacabana SLSC, Killcare SLSC, Lakes SLSC, North Avoca SLSC, MacMasters SLSC, Ocean Beach SLSC, Shelly Beach SLSC, The Entrance SLSC, North Entrance SLSC, Soldiers SLSC, Terrigal SLSC, Toowoon Bay SLSC, Wamberal SLSC and Umina SLSC.