Surfriders find new home with Governmnet help: Fraser

Local Government, Planning and Sport Minister Andrew Fraser has allocated $30,000 to the Gold Coast’s Surfrider Foundation to help it find a new home after it was forced to vacate its headquarters.

Mr Fraser said the Foundation played a pivotal role in the Gold Coast area and the grant was also an acknowledgement of the Beattie Government giving a helping hand to the Smart State’s community organisations.

“The Surfrider Foundation is a not for profit organisation which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the coast’s pristine beaches which have an international reputation as being among the best in the world,” Mr Fraser said.

“They have been very active around Australia and especially here on the Gold Coast for many years and they’ve played a critical role in protecting our natural assets.

“I think it speaks volumes for a group like Surfrider when you consider that the Gold Coast is one of the world’s busiest tourist centres yet still has kilometres of unspoilt beach.”

“A lot of that has to do with the fact that the Gold Coast is the national headquarters for the organisation, which has 28,000 members Australia-wide.”

Mr Fraser said it was unfortunate the group had to vacate its current national headquarters in Coolangatta.

“But this grant will help them to find a new home on the Gold Coast so they can continue to increase awareness of the many issues impacting on our coastline.

”The Beattie Government has a long and proud tradition of helping community organisations and groups and this commitment will continue.”

Surfriders Foundation National CEO Stuart Ball welcomed the commitment.

“This support from the Queensland Government could not have come at a better time,” Mr Ball said.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825
Wednesday September 20 2006