This year ratepayers contribute $1,234,000 towards the regional clubs' running costs. Photo / NZME.
This year ratepayers contribute $1,234,000 towards the regional clubs' running costs. Photo / NZME.
Auckland's volunteer surf lifeguards are raising their hands for help - they want ratepayers to show support for upgrading inadequate clubrooms which are more than 40 years old.
Up to eight facilities need improvement over the next decade, says Surf Life Saving Northern Region.
Thousands of people from all parts of the region are prevented from injury or drowning or rescued each year by the clubs, whose facilities are not only patrol bases and first-aid stations but also cater for 10,000 children annually when they visit for beach education.
However, the joint northern clubs' case put to Auckland Council to grant $6 million, or one in three dollars needed for the upgrades - with the rest to be raised by the clubs - has been ignored in the council's draft 10-year budget.
The clubs are calling on people to support their submission for ratepayers' help through www.surf1020.com by next Monday.
Sir Bob Harvey, who is the patron of Karekare club - one of three west coast clubs seeking help to upgrade - said many of the sentinels of the coast were old and tired and that made the job more difficult for lifeguards.
"Every year thousands of Aucklanders in the water raise hands when they need help. Now lifeguards are asking you to raise your hand and support our submission to Auckland Council."
Sir Bob said the emergency treatment room at the Karekare facility was in a "sad state" despite the heavy demands on it.
Karekare lifesaving co-ordinator Stephen Pye said building reports for his club and those of North Piha and Karioitahi, near Waiuku, showed the need for replacement was critical.
Karekare, Karioitahi and North Piha alone are asking the council for $1.9 million over the next three years to complete their projects.
Surf Life Saving Northern said although Auckland Council strongly supported clubs' running costs, they had to find a $5 million more from the community purse.
This year, ratepayers contribute $1,234,000 towards the regional clubs' running costs, allocated through the Regional Amenities Funding Board.
The council recently gave more than $1 million towards the $5 million Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service's new club.
Councillor Penny Webster said the council grant was based on the club's needs combining with a community facility.
She and some other councillors were trying to get the projects into the long-term plan on the basis that the council would underwrite the cost of a basic building.
"That would be what you needed for rescue work. For anything more - any bells and whistles - it would be up to the club to go out and raise funding," Mrs Webster said.
Teen positive she would die
A teenage girl who had stopped breathing when she was plucked from a rip at Orewa last year has come out in full support of Auckland surf clubs trying to get council help for better facilities.
Casey Trumper, second left, and Ashleigh Neal thank their rescuers, Orewa Beach lifeguards James Campbell, left, and Nick Tomkins. Photo / Dean Purcell
Ashleigh Neal, now aged 15, and friend Casey Trumper were dragged out of their depth by a rip at the estuary.
Orewa Surf Life Saving Club patrollers rushed to help, gave a rescue tube to Casey and carried on further out to sea where Ashleigh was floating face down - lifeless, grey and unconscious.
"I honestly thought it was my turn to die that day," said Ashleigh.
The Henderson High Year 11 student said she used to have nightmares, but lifeguards at the club helped her get over the ordeal. She is about to take swimming lessons with her young brother.
Surf club upgrade plans
*Highest priority (next three years):
Karekare (total project $2.7 million), North Piha ($2.3 million), Karioitahi ($2.5 million), Mairangi Bay ($2.5 million).
