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<\/p>\nTHE Point Lonsdale SLSC is only weeks away from fully moving into its new home ahead of summer, and it also has a better back beach facility to look forward to.<\/p>\n
The Victorian Government\u2019s 2021\/22 Budget earmarked $2.5 million to provide an upgraded back beach base for the club\u2019s 1,000 volunteer members.<\/p>\n
Key features of the upgraded base will include disability access, improved positioning of the communications and observation room and a storage for rescue watercraft and lifesaving equipment.<\/p>\n
Volunteer lifesavers will have more space for training and summer patrols, and the updated base will increase operational capability.<\/p>\n
This funding is in addition to $175,000 for a temporary back beach base for the club to use over the previous summer season, and another $100,000 to assist with the planning and design of the redevelopment to ensure construction of the facility can start as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
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Member for Victoria Gayle Tierney \u2013 representing Bellarine MP Lisa Neville \u2013 visited both the existing back beach base and the clubhouse on Friday last week.<\/p>\n
Point Lonsdale SLSC president Charlie Pitney welcomed the $2.5 million for the back beach base, which is separated from the clubhouse by a large hill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of if not the most dangerous surf beaches in Victoria,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Point Lonsdale SLSC volunteers patrol the nearby popular beaches every summer.<\/p>\n
Last season, its lifesavers performed 1,715 preventive actions, treated 12 minor and one major first aid case and carried out 17 rescues.<\/p>\n
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The Victorian Government has previously contributed $2.2 million to support the construction of the new clubhouse.<\/p>\n
Located on Ocean and Buckleys roads, the facility is about three times the size of the old clubhouse.<\/p>\n
Point Lonsdale SLSC past president Matt Ponsford said the club had worked closely with the community and neighbouring residents to refine the design of the almost-complete clubhouse \u2013 which the club took possession of earlier this month \u2013 and planned to do the same with the back beach base.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did a lot of consultation and we got no objections, so hopefully it\u2019s the same with the back beach site,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ms Tierney acknowledged the work Ms Neville had done in partnership with the club in securing the funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe funding will ensure the dedicated Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards and lifesavers can effectively patrol this beach over summer and well into the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI congratulate and thank the club, led by president Charlie Pitney, on their ongoing commitment and work in keeping beachgoers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Point Lonsdale SLSC is only weeks away from fully moving into its new home ahead of summer, and it also has a better back beach facility to look forward to. The Victorian Government\u2019s 2021\/22 Budget earmarked $2.5 million to provide an upgraded back beach base for the club\u2019s 1,000 volunteer members. Key features of […]<\/p>\n