Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2011
CR11.161 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - FLOREAT SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB - PURCHASE
OF SIDE-BY-SIDE SURF RESCUE VEHICLE
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To seek financial support towards the purchase of surf rescue vehicle for the Floreat Surf
Lifesaving Club
BACKGROUND:
The Floreat Surf Lifesaving Club has written to Council seeking a grant under the Town's
Community Grants Program towards the cost to purchase a new surf rescue vehicle. The
Floreat Surf Lifesaving Club has been advised by Surf Lifesaving WA that its current surf
rescue vehicle - a quad bike does not meet current safety standards and if members of the club
use the vehicle they will not be covered by insurance.
A new surf rescue vehicle that meets Surf lifesaving WA specifications will cost approximately
$20,000.
The club has over 500 members and provides a weekend beach lifeguard service at Floreat
Beach from October to the end of March.
The Floreat Surf Club leases the surf club building at Floreat Beach and is currently
contributing approximately $21,000 to the building maintenance fund. The Town also
contributes approximately $42,000 amount to the maintenance fund. This year, the two surf
clubs in the Town assumed responsibility for utilities, which previously the Town had paid for.
This added $12,000 to the Club's budget this year. Due to these costs not previously been
made the responsibility of the Club and the lack of financial support from Surf Lifesaving WA,
the Club approached the Town seeking some form of financial assistance towards the vehicle.
DETAILS:
The new surf vehicle will be used to minimise injury and loss of life from the Floreat Groyne to
the north side of the dog beach (boundary of City of Stirling), approximately 4 kilometres of
beach. The vehicle will carry two rescue boards, defibrillator, first aid equipment and spinal
board (approximately $30,000 worth of equipment).
It is noted that following a report to Council in April 2011, the Floreat Surf Lifesaving Club
annual grant increased from $9,000 to $25,000. This increase was taken into consideration and
that the Club would now be responsible for power and water and also the level of voluntary
service provided to the community.
Although the Floreat Surf Lifesaving Club receives an annual donation from the Town of
$25,000, the Club advises that even a small contribution would help with the acquisition of the
vehicle and take the pressure off a tight budget. Other sources of funds, including sponsorship
are being investigated.
It is suggested that as there is an amount of $2,000 remaining in the Community Grant
Program 2011/2012 financial year and the Club meets the criteria for funding, these funds
could be allocated to the Floreat Surf Lifesaving Club. Furthermore, the maximum amount of
funds available under this program is $2000.
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