OVER the past year the shire’s surf life saving clubs have been busy upgrading their facilities.
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Moruya surf club, through the help of a state government grant, constructed access to its upper level, plus toilet and shower facilities for people with a disability.
Batemans Bay surf club has all but completed stage one of its upgrade, but needs more funding to complete stage two.
Meanwhile Broulee Surf Life Saving Club, one of the region’s biggest, is busting at the seams.
It has also lodged a development application with Eurobodalla Shire Council in the hope of attracting funds for a major expansion and upgrade.
Each club does great things for its community.
They are often the first responder in times of emercency on the water, teach hundreds of children each year lifelong and lifesaving skills, and serve as an important community hub.
Unlike other not-for-profit groups however, such as Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving Australia does receive recurrent revenue.
But the extra funds needed to pay for things like infrastructure improvements are far out of reach.
Instead clubs rely on the government grant lottery and the hard work of fund-raising volunteers.
A levy for community infrastructure is not a bad idea, as long it is equitable and as long as it is spent on the purposes intended.
Most people surely would not mind a small fee each year.
Volunteer groups of equal calibre, no doubt facing an equal struggle, such as Marine Rescue, the State Emergency Service and the Rural Fire Service, should benefit too.