A long-held dream is one step closer to reality for South Coast Surf Life Saving branch president Steve Jones. Steve's vision, to build a training and administration hub in Nowra, servicing clubs from Warilla to Mollymook, was endorsed by the federal Labor Party on Friday.
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Labor has promised a million-dollar cash injection.
This, combined with a $350,000 contribution from the state government will fully fund the construction of the new surf life saving facility - under the proviso Labor wins government at the next election.
In 2017 the Shoalhaven City Council granted development approval for the project.
Land has been allocated by the Shoalhaven council in the Emergency Services Precinct at Albatross Road, South Nowra.
Fiona Phillips congratulated South Coast Surf Life Saving on their campaign for the new complex.
"I congratulate our local surf life saving community who have campaigned and fundraised tirelessly for the past 11 years for this project," Ms Phillips said.
"As a local, I know how important it is to support our local surf life savers and the critical role they play in our community. Under a Labor Government I'm thrilled to announce this important facility will finally be a reality".
The South Coast Surf Life Saving Branch provides training, patrol inspections, compliance and operations oversight of nine surf lifesaving clubs in the region and covers 175 kilometres of coastline across Shoalhaven, Kiama and Shellharbour council areas.
Training that would be provided at the new facility includes first aid, advanced resuscitation techniques and beach management.
"The South Coast branch welcomes the announcement today of funding support toward the South Coast Surf Life Saving Training, administration and storage facility," Mr Jones said.
"The project will enable us to deliver our volunteers training, meeting facilities for committees and deliver of our community education programs and will provide our 3400 members and the greater community with a consolidated facility for training, community education, administration and much needed storage of our equipment."