The two local clubs were among 38 to share in $5.4 million funding for the upgrade, restoration or construction of surf life saving facilities to keep them modern and accessible to the community, and so local surf life savers can better protect beachgoers.

The two local clubs to receive funding were:

• Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club who will receive $56,824 for an LED lighting upgrade, expanded WiFi coverage and improved board storage facilities; and
• Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club who will receive $30,030 to install a 13.2kW solar system with battery storage at their club house. Currently the club has no solar infrastructure so this project will help to significantly reduce the Club's electricity bills.

At the 2023 election, the Minns Government committed $23 million over four years to help keep beaches safe and to fund investments in community and sporting facilities to modernise facilities, improve access and encourage participation in community and sporting activities as part of the Surf Life Saving Facility Program.

For the full list of recipients and further information on the Program visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/surf-club-facility-program

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:

"Congratulations to Wollongong City and Fairy Meadow surf clubs on securing these grants for upgrades that will benefit club members as well as beach goers.

“These grants will contribute towards the development of modern, fit for purpose facilities that enables local surf life savers to better protect the community and continue to deliver a world-class service.

"As a former surf club Treasurer I know how much work goes into these applications, in addition to the work to fundraise to contribute to projects, so this funding break will be a most welcome one for Club members as we approach the end of another busy season on the Illawarra's beaches."

 Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“This summer has again illustrated the vital job our surf life savers do protecting swimmers and keeping people safe at beaches along the NSW coast.

“The $5.4 million funding awarded by the NSW Government today will ensure our surf life saving clubs across NSW remain modern and accessible so that surf life savers can continue their invaluable work.

“This funding is part of a four-year $16 million commitment from the NSW Government to support NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs to continue to deliver a world-class service.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

 “The red and yellow flags on our beaches are a welcome sight and our surf life savers helped perform more than 2,400 rescues this summer.

“We know communities are drawn to our beautiful coastline and by investing in our surf life saving clubs and providing modern facilities we support our volunteers who make our beaches safer.

“Our surf life savers represent the communities they serve and by improving access to these clubs we ensure more people can enjoy them when they visit our beaches.”