A re-elected Morrison Government will provide an additional $5,000 per year to every Surf Life Saving club to purchase vital beach safety equipment including the seven clubs on the North West Coast.

Surf Life Saving Australia and its volunteers across Braddon play a critical role keeping people of all ages safe at our beaches, and engage with local communities to promote water safety to prevent drownings.

Liberal Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce said the funding was an important step toward decreasing the number of drowning deaths.

“The North West is home to some of Tasmania’s most popular beaches, and seven of the total 14 Surf Life Saving Clubs in Tasmania are located in Braddon,” Mr Pearce said.

“This vital funding will support the Burnie, Boat Harbour, Devonport, Penguin, Port Sorell, Somerset and Ulverstone Surf Life Saving clubs, where volunteers have performed thousands of patrol hours this season alone and rely on the best skills and equipment to keep beachgoers safe.

“I’d like to thank every local surf life saving volunteer for their time and the work they do patrolling our beaches to keep Tasmanians safe.”

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is one of Australia’s largest volunteer organisations, supporting more than 180,000 members and 314 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs across the country.

Minister Colbeck said the Morrison Government will invest a total of $4.8 million in SLSA’s Beach Safety Equipment Fund.

“Tragically, there were 294 drowning deaths over the past year across Australia’s coastline, inland waterways and pools. That is 20 per cent higher than last year and 8 per cent higher than the 10-year average,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Far too many families are impacted by drownings and near-drownings each year.”

This investment in Surf Life Saving clubs is in addition to $39 million committed over three years from 2021-22 to leading water safety organisations to improve education and safety and reduce drownings under the Water and Snow Safety Program.