Byron Shire Acting Mayor, Michael Lyon joined the local community at the official opening of a new and improved Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club on Friday (26 April), to celebrate the completion of exterior roofing and painting works funded through a NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Fund (Round 2) grant.
The grant funding enabled to the club to complete more than $160,000 worth of works.
"It is an honour to be opening these much-needed and well-deserved facility upgrades for the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club and I congratulate everyone involved," Byron Shire Acting Mayor, Michael Lyon said.
"The new roofing and exterior paint job looks fantastic and has given the club a new lease of life, ensuring the club is in great condition and can continue to meet the needs of volunteers and the local community for decades to come," he said.
"The Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club provides year-round lifesaving services at Main Beach and it is essential that the club's facilities can house the critical emergency response lifesaving equipment that is required to save lives.
"The surf club operates as a volunteer training hub and a community function space, as well as enabling the lifesavers to safely patrol Main Beach for the local population as well as more than 2 million annual visitors to the shire – which is a massive task.
"The space also caters for youth and provides education and physical exercise opportunities.
"I applaud the tireless work of the club, all its volunteers and everyone involved in this recent makeover which will ultimately be of benefit to everyone who enjoys a swim between the flags on Main Beach," he said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro congratulated Byron Shire Council and the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club on completion of the updates at the Club.
"Surf Life Saving Clubs are at the heart of our coastal communities – they provide a place to socialise with friends and family and are a vital rescue service for locals and visitors in towns like Byron, where tourism is so important," Mr Barilaro said.
"This is a fantastic outcome for Byron Bay and another great example of how the NSW Government is delivering improvements to our regional coastal communities."
