Central Coast Council presented Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) with a $116,000 cheque yesterday at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Council also provided a direct sponsorship to each of the 15 Surf Life Saving Clubs of $6,500 to offset rescue equipment for the season, with a total funding package of $213,500.

The financial contribution was the first instalment of the new two-year sponsorship funding agreement from Council and will assist in maintaining programs, activities, and the supply of rescue equipment across 15 surf clubs on the Central Coast during the 2022-23 summer season.
Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities Phil Cantillon said Surf Life Saving Central Coast beach patrols make an invaluable contribution to the community’s safety.

“The unified partnership that exists between Council and Surf Life Saving Central Coast provides residents and visitors a seamless service each day of the beach season,” Mr Cantillon said.

“The training and education programs included in this service contributes to a safer community and is known to promote beach safety while connecting families and young people right across the Central Coast.”

“Local surf clubs are vital to our region, and Council is delighted to commit $116,000 to Surf Life Saving Central Coast for 2022, and an additional $6,500 to each of the 15 Surf Clubs that continue to serve our community.”

“The financial sponsorship will assist Surf Life Saving to buy the essential equipment and run the programs needed to keep our community safe on our beautiful beaches, for many summers to come.”

The financial sponsorship will be used to purchase rescue boards, IRB motors, servicing of oxygen equipment, beach signage, programming of radios within the new communication network and educational swim between the flag messaging. 

In addition to this direct financial sponsorship, Council has also purchased Can-Am side by side vehicles, a four-wheel-drive vehicle, 2 personal watercraft (PWC) vehicles, and durable beach signage, and arranged the installation and upgrade of new observation towers and PA systems that are joint shared by the Council Beach Safety Teams and Surf Life Saving Central Coast members that perform vital emergency response across Councils 15 patrolled beaches.    

Surf Life Saving Central Coast Chief Executive Officer, Jon Harkness thanked Council for their ongoing support and continued recognition of the services provided.

“The relationship Surf Life Saving Central Coast have with the Central Coast Council is invaluable to both organisations and the community.  The funding received enables us to purchase, maintain and share equipment to ensure we are rescue-ready every day of the season.” Mr Harkness said.

“The Central Coast is the most fortunate regions in NSW due to the positive working relationship and collaboration between both organisations.  We work together to ensure we have seamless services 7 days each week of the season.”

During the Central Coast’s 2021-22 Beach Patrol Season, SLSCC had a total of 8,387 active volunteer members across the 15 Surf Clubs, who delivered over 87,000 patrolling hours, with 606 rescues completed and responded to over 100 emergency call outs and incidents.  A magnificent achievement by all involved. 

SLSCC volunteer lifesavers patrol our beaches on weekends and on public holidays, while Council lifeguards patrol from Monday to Friday.