Labor pledges $2.3m to surf club if re-elected
The Gillard Labor Government will partner with the Ballina Shire Council and the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club to deliver a new clubhouse and a patrol building for the community.
The announcement was made on site yesterday by the Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, Labor Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, Mayor of Ballina Shire, Phillip Silver, and Surf Club President, Kris Beavis.
Federal Labor will invest $2.3 million towards the $5.8 million project to construct a new clubhouse, patrol building, car parking, associated infrastructure and the realignment and extension of Compton Drive and Lighthouse Parade at East Ballina.
“This surf club has been around for 77 years training and engaging young people and making local beaches safer for residents and visitors,” Mr Albanese said.
“I understand that the surf life savers have been operating out of a shed and a shipping container for the last eight years.
“This situation is not good enough both in terms of safety and for the nearly 500 members and volunteers who give up their time for the surf club and the community.
“The project will support local jobs during construction and deliver lasting infrastructure for North Coast communities.”
“I welcome this fantastic investment for Ballina, Lismore and beyond,” Ms Saffin said.
“Both the council and the surf lifesaving club have worked very hard on this project and I am pleased that we are one step closer to making this vision a reality.
“One of the great things about this project is that it will deliver first-rate facilities for the club to provide vital training and life skills for people of all ages.”
“Janelle Saffin saw the community need and acted to secure funding. The next generation of surf lifesavers will now have state-of-the-art facilities. Our community is the winner today,” Mr Beavis said.
“This funding will build on Federal Labor’s record investment on the North Coast including, $526 million for the Ballina Bypass, $90 million for the Alstonville Bypass and $2 million for the Lennox Head Cultural and Leisure Centre,” Mr Albanese concluded.
Funding for this contribution will be fully offset over the forward estimates, consistent with the Government’s commitment to return the budget to surplus in three years.
