The state Opposition has promised it will provide $10 million for a major upgrade to a Sunshine Coast surf club building, if it wins the election.
The Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie announced the commitment to expand the Kawana Surf Club, which is more than four decades old.
The building, on Pacific Boulevard at Buddina, is home to the Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club and the Kawana RSL Sub Branch.
“Kawana Beach is one of the longest open beaches on the Sunshine Coast and these upgrades will provide the facilities needed for our growing area, supporting volunteers, families and tourists for decades to come,” he said.
“The upgrade will provide staff with better access to first aid, care and essential lifesaving duties.
“This community relies heavily on volunteers and fundraising events and, as patron of the surf club since 2009, I’m delighted to be making this funding commitment.
“This just isn’t a surf lifesaving club, the Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch is firmly entrenched in our community and it’s fantastic to see young Queenslanders engage with veterans and learn new skills from their mentorship.”
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Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club president Shane Gayle said funding would help support surf lifesaving at a grassroots level.
“The Kawana Surf Club was built in 1982 and it no longer meets the growing needs of our Surf Life Saving members or the needs of our growing local and wider Sunshine Coast community,” he said.
“Much-needed upgrades to the club will enable us to meet our members needs and provide an asset that will serve the needs of the community, protect our beachgoers and cater for growing needs of our RSL veterans and members.”
Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch deputy president Gary Penney said funding would provide a purpose-built facilities to engage with veteran clients.
“The $10 million grant will be an absolute game-changer,” he said.
“The new facilities will promote a more professional image of our veteran advocacy services and encourage veterans to reach out for wellbeing and compensation assistance they so desperately require.
“The flow-on effect on some of our veteran clients will, in some instances, be a potential life saver.”
Meanwhile, the Kawana Waters SLSC is among three Sunshine Coast surf life saving clubs to benefit from state government funding for facility upgrades.
The club was awarded $1.06 million, while Peregian Beach SLSC received $928,000 to continue its revival and Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC received $464,000.
Caloundra MP Jason Hunt said it was money well spent.
“I am proud to be part of a government that is providing every possible support to our surf lifesavers,” he said.
“Here on the Sunshine Coast, they play an invaluable role supporting community safety and they deserve every support.
“I know the Caloundra community is incredibly grateful for the work of our lifesavers and it is only right and proper that we provide Surf Life Saving Queensland with the funding certainty so that they can continue to perform what is a vital community service.”
The funding is part of a $125 million 10-year commitment from the state government to Surf Life Saving Queensland.
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