Backing Our Surf Life-Savers This Summer

The Liberal Government will be right behind Tasmania’s more than 830 volunteer surf lifesavers as they prepare to hit beaches around the State this weekend for the first patrols of summer.

Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) is a critical volunteer organisation, literally saving lives and helping make our most popular beaches safer for locals and visitors alike.

That’s why we are pleased to be delivering on our election promise of increased support for SLST and its 14 clubs across the State, from Boat Harbour to Clifton, with a $400,000 boost in funding over this term.

This takes State Government funding to SLST to $250,000 a year.

The additional funding is helping to keep volunteer surf lifesavers on patrol by offsetting the growing cost of providing services, including insurance.

The Government is directly supporting the Bridport and Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs with $150,000 and $300,000 respectively to upgrade their facilities.

We are also providing an extra $200,000 over four years through SLST to Volunteer Marine Rescue units to help secure their future.

Like surf life-savers, these units play an important role in keeping Tasmanians safe on the water, offering a world-class inland, inshore and offshore rescue service.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management