BY MATT JOHNSTON

A partnership between the New South Wales government, Newcastle City Council, and the Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club (DPSLSC) will see a raft of improvements for the club and its amenities on the Bathers Way walk.

Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, announced the $350,000 grant this morning alongside Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who added $250,000 from council. The remaining $150,000 will come from funds raised by the DPSLSC itself.

DPSLSC President Paul Murray said the club has seen a growth in membership and popularity as a venue since the opening of the Bathers Way coastal path. However, the renewed use of the site highlighted the 40-year-old amenities that are on offer.

Updates at the site are limited to the ground floor, where the changerooms and bathrooms will be upgraded and made more accessible for those with disabilities. A kitchen will be installed the increase the range of activities available at the venue.

Council will also be using this as an opportunity to create new storage areas for equipment.

Both Paul Murray and Scot MacDonald were pride to be to revitalising “iconic” elements of Newcastle’s coastline. Modernising the facilities is key, given that a women’s changeroom was overlooked in the original building plans 40 years ago.

Nuatali Nelmes she’s happy to be contributing to new facilities which make sport more accessible and attractive to women.



Picture: Newcastle City Council