Update on changes at Point Nepean
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the $13.8 million Victorian Coalition Government major works program at Point Nepean to upgrade roads, carparks, and essential services infrastructure was well underway.
Mr Smith said he was pleased to announce the Port of Melbourne Corporation had finished constructing a new communications tower at Monash Light within the park.
"This tower incorporates a viewing platform which is now open to the public during daylight hours," Mr Smith said.
"Views extend from Portsea to the Rip, highlighting Point Nepean's almost continuous coastal vegetation between Port Phillip and Bass Strait."
Member for Nepean Martin Dixon said while works were underway at the site, the new tower could be accessed by visitors on foot from Gunners Cottage car park via the Range Area walk.
"The new tower offers park visitors an amazing new opportunity to experience a different
360-degree view of this spectacular landscape," Mr Dixon said.
"We appreciate the patience of visitors while works are underway. This is setting the ground-work for many great years ahead at Point Nepean."
Kristen Jackson, Parks Victoria's Acting Manager at Point Nepean, said the works have now extended into Police Point Shire Park, Point Nepean Road and many areas within the Point Nepean National Park.
"Parks Victoria and the construction contractor Cut & Fill have programmed the most disruptive works to occur in the coming months to coincide with the quietest period of park visitation," Ms Jackson said.
"As a consequence of major road works, there will be no vehicle access for the majority of August. The transporter service will also be temporarily suspended during this period."
Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to enter the park and access many of the key sites via the shared path and walking track network.
Parts of the Quarantine Station precinct will be closed to the public. Once the construction allows the reopening of Defence Road, public vehicles will again be able to enter the park and the transporter service will resume operation.
Parks Victoria will soon release an Expression of Interest for the future provision of transport services within the park.
Parks Victoria is working with its current operator to continue to provide a mini-bus service, working around the major works program.
For further Point Nepean updates keep in touch with Parks Victoria at www.parks.vic.gov.au
