Surf Life Saving boss pleads for full government funding

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chief executive Paul Dalton said life saving clubs shouldn't go it alone asking for funding from the new government.

Cash-strapped volunteer emergency services like surf life saving clubs should be careful what they wish for, a chief executive has said.

On Tuesday, Surf Life Saving Northern Region's chief executive Matt Williams called for the government to treat surf clubs as fully-funded emergency services.

However, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLNZ) chief executive Paul Dalton said life-saving clubs shouldn't go it alone asking for funding from the new government and should work with other largely volunteer rescue groups.

Williams said his 17 northern region clubs, which supervised more than 500,000 beach-goers last year, gets 'zero' direct government funding despite providing an 'essential service'.

Surf life saving clubs should be fully funded as essential emergency services, Matt Williams said.

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'We've already had a reduction in services this year,' volunteers were 'literally limping off beaches, doing 12-hour shifts' covering shifts paid lifeguards used to cover, Matt Williams said.

Despite rescuing nearly 300 people from the country's 'most frequented, highly dangerous, patrolled surf beaches', Williams said his clubs are struggling to maintain services beach-goers depend on.

Clubrooms were deteriorating at 'huge cost' while stretched volunteers were on the cusp of giving up their time.

Peeni Henare said he will 'commit' to discussing 'how best' government can support Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

1600 volunteers worked 60,000 patrol hours last year.

'We get zero dollars, not a cent from central government,' Williams said.

While helping fund surf life saving, Auckland Council needed to balance the 'needs of other organisations that also require our support,' councillor Penny Hulse said.

'It's almost negligent for the government to leave things as they are.

'We've already had a reduction in services this year,' volunteers were 'literally limping off beaches, doing 12-hour shifts' covering shifts paid lifeguards used to cover.

Williams said government surf life saving oversight has been shunted between several ministries in the last eight years.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region needs $12 million per year to meet existing commitments despite increasing demand, Williams said.

Most funding comes from philanthropic grants and fundraising drives.

It's time for surf life saving to 'have a conversation' with the new government and regional councils 'who are now going through their funding rounds,' Paul Dalton said.

But Paul Dalton said going it alone would mean the country's 74 surf clubs risk alienating other volunteer-based groups including Coastguard, the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council and Search & Rescue New Zealand.

The millions in funding needed by each group really adds up, presenting more challenges to 'long-term sustainability' he said.

'We need to be coordinated in what we ask for from the government, you do have to be careful for what you work for'.

Dalton is unsure if volunteer groups understand the implications of accepting full government funding either becoming part of a ministry and answerable to a minister.

Presently, SLNZ is working through Water Safety New Zealand on approaching government, Dalton said.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Peeni Henare said he's aware of SLNZ's request for more funding.

Although not directly funded by government, SLNZ does receive grants through various ministries and Henare said he would need to meet with respective ministers to discuss any changes.

'I will commit to talking to my colleagues and have a discussion on how we can support and what more can we do.'

COUNCIL CONTRIBUTIONS

Matt Williams has praised Northland and Waikato regional councils' commitment to funding surf life saving clubs in their areas but is concerned about Auckland Council support.

He said council's new 2018-2028 Draft Long Term Plan gives no specific allocation to life saving clubs.

Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board chairman Vern Walsh said the board wouldn't notify each life saving club's 2018 operational allocation until February.

Auckland Council Environment and Community Committee chairwoman councillor Penny Hulse said the club's council capital funding contribution has yet to be decided in ongoing the 2018-2028 Draft Long Term Plan process.

While helping fund surf saving, council needed to balance the 'needs of the many other organisations that also require our support,' Hulse said.

'I would certainly like to see more funding for Surf Lifesaving Northern Region and would welcome a discussion with central government'.

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