Bev Heesters (Two Rocks), Danika Malone (Yanchep), Scott Jessamine (Two Rocks), Sharon Taylor, vice-president of Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club, and Yanchep SLSC president John Heesters.
Camera IconBev Heesters (Two Rocks), Danika Malone (Yanchep), Scott Jessamine (Two Rocks), Sharon Taylor, vice-president of Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club, and Yanchep SLSC president John Heesters. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis        www.communitypix.com.au d443245

Yanchep Surf Life Saving: government grant a life saver

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club president John Heesters said Premier Colin Barnett gave the City of Wanneroo a $500,000 Lotterywest grant on September 7.

The funds will go towards the $6.3 million surf club and public amenities building overlooking Yanchep Lagoon, south of the existing shed.

Mr Heesters said while it had been a long planning process, they hoped to have the design finalised soon and then the City would go out to tender.

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“It’s been a long process; you can’t just take a shortcut,” he said.

“They are hoping to appoint a tenderer either later this year or early next year.

“We are hopefully moving into the new club before the ’16-17 season.

“That’s the goal and that’s what everyone is working towards.”

The Premier visited Yanchep as part of a tour of the northern suburbs, following a State Cabinet meeting in Wanneroo on Monday morning.

Mr Barnett said the lagoon was the City’s busiest beach, with Surf Life Saving WA records showing it had about 130 visitors per hour during peak periods in 2014-15 and up to 700 an hour during the Christmas period.

“The new building and its location will significantly improve beach safety services and provide space to conduct training and social activities to build club membership and community partnerships,” he said.

His statement said the club’s volunteers served the current population of almost 10,000 people in Yanchep and Two Rocks, which was expected to quadruple within 20 years.

“The City of Wanneroo recognised that Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club was a small volunteer organisation providing a vital community service,” Mr Barnett said.

“They have worked closely with the club throughout the project to ensure the design of the facility meets their needs and allows for use by other community groups.”

Construction is expected to start in January and finish towards the end of 2016.