The Australian government and Surfing Australia have given their country's surfing a major boost, one that cost seven million dollars and resulted in a renovated, expanded and more modern high-performance center, the organization reported in Your Website.

The new build is four times larger than the original which opened in 2012 and spans four levels. The renovations include an aerials training centre, a renovated gym, a 100-seat auditorium, five training facilities and treatment room, 11 new double en-suite bedrooms, more bathrooms, a new dining room and kitchen, an office for Surfing Australia staff and a car park.

Non-professional surfers can also access the high-performance programme through paid surf camps where they can use the facilities.

Of the total investment, the Australian Government was responsible for $2,5 million, the Department of Sport put up $3 million and the remainder of the money came from Surfing Australia Investment Funds and through philanthropic donations from Don O'Rorke of Consolidated Properties, Hutchinson Builders and another private donor.

Joel Parkinson, the 2012 world champion, was on hand to host the event and said: “To see what Andrew Stark and his team have done here is incredible and I really congratulate everyone in this amazing building. It’s perfect timing with the building complete, I can’t think of any reason why Australia can’t go to Tokyo 2020 and bring home gold medals for both the men and women.”

Surfing Australia President and seven-time Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley said: “This new world-class High Performance Centre will be a testament to the development of Australia’s surfing champions for generations to come and will be a lasting legacy of our commitment to the local community and all recreational surfers.”

Surfers invited to the inaugural event included Phyllis O'Donnell, Layne Beachley, Joel Parkinson, Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew, Mark Richards, Pauline Menczer, Tom Carroll, Mark Occhilupo, Wendy Botha and Pam Burridge.