Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club can pass go, but can’t collect $16m

The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club has applied for government funding every year for three years. It still doesn't have it. On Tuesday night, Warrnambool City Council voted to back the club's $16 million redevelopment, supporting a revised masterplan for the new facility.

It's a step that keeps the project alive, but doesn't build anything just yet.

“This particular issue is vitally important because the current Surf Life Saving Club rooms don’t have access to the beach at all, and the current rooms have outlived their useful life,” councillor Richard Ziegeler said during the meeting.

“I don’t see why there is even a quibble from the various government departments as to why this shouldn’t go ahead.”

The background: The club has been working towards a redevelopment since 2021, starting with concept plans and community consultation, while also making sure the project fits into council’s broader plans for the foreshore.

• Surf Life Saving Club Captain Jo McDowall said the vision was to create a facility that becomes a real focal point on the beach.

“What we want to do is have something on the Warrnambool foreshore that basically means that all roads lead to the flags,” she said, envisioning a beachfront hub that naturally pulls people towards the safest place to swim.

• The new building would support patrols and water safety education, but also include space for the community and income-generating areas like a restaurant to keep the organisation sustainable.

Who’s paying? The projected cost for the redevelopment is $16 million. While council’s support is a milestone, funding is still the biggest hurdle.

• McDowall said projects like this are usually paid for through a mix of local, state and federal money, with councils often helping fund things like access, parking and surrounding infrastructure.

No easy task: The challenge is getting that first major commitment from government. The club has applied for state funding every year for the past three years and previously sought federal grants, while also raising $67,000 through a community fundraising appeal at last year’s May Racing Carnival.

• The Liberal party has pledged funding for the redevelopment in previous federal election campaigns if it formed government but has failed to do so.

• “It’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation,” she said. “You usually need that significant pledge… whether that be state or federal, to really kickstart that process.”

The club’s community appeal is still running on its website.