$918,000 FOR WARRNAMBOOL AND PORT CAMPBELL PORTS

Wednesday, 16 July 2008
The Brumby Government will inject $918,000 to deliver major upgrades to the Port of Warrnambool and the Port of Port Campbell, greatly improving opportunities for recreation and tourism in the region.

In Warrnambool today, the Premier John Brumby, said $738,000 would upgrade the Warrnambool Port with $180,000 for significant infrastructure works at Port Campbell.

“Local ports support significant regional industries, including commercial and recreational fishing, boating, tourism and recreation and our Government is taking action to ensure they continue to grow and thrive,” Mr Brumby said.

“The port is one of Warrnambool’s social and economic hearts, a hub for commercial fishing and a popular destination for tourists to the region and modernising it is key to maintaining this role.

“Upgrading the breakwater structure in Warrnambool, including utilities, lighting and vehicle control works will complement the planned $2.3 million upgrade of the adjacent Warrnambool Harbour/Foreshore precinct.

“The precinct will include a new Harbour Pavilion that will house fishing support facilities, visitor services/amenities, a restaurant and act as the key eastern node for the 37-kilometre Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail, which is becoming a major draw card along the Shipwreck Coast.”

The Brumby Government contributed $500,000 for stage 2 of the Warrnambool revitalisation project last year.

“The Port of Port Campbell contributes about 50 tonnes of Victoria’s annual fish catch, particularly crayfish, and upgrading the jetty will improve facilities for fishing and tourist activities,” Mr Brumby said.

Mr Brumby said the projects were being funded under the $20 million local ports infrastructure program, through the Government’s $502 million Provincial Victoria Economic Statement Moving Forward.

“Our local ports program is upgrading and enhancing local ports infrastructure to ensure the assets continue to play a strong role in provincial Victoria’s commercial fishing and tourism industries,” he said.

“The program is also improving the local amenity and delivery of services to local communities, and enhancing access and safety.”

The local ports infrastructure program was being funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

“It’s another great example of the strength of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to support enabling infrastructure that can capture new investment,” Mr Brumby said.

“To date, our Government has provided $411.3 million through the RIDF to fund 194 projects worth $1.25 billion across provincial Victoria.”