PORT WELSHPOOL’S LONG JETTY
THE FEDERAL COALITION RENEWS ITS FUNDING COMMITMENT
Russell has renewed the Federal Coalition’s commitment to the restoration of Port Welshpool’s historic long jetty.
Russell has announced that the Coalition will contribute $3-million towards the restoration of the heritage listed jetty if it wins Government on August, 21.
He says the long jetty is an important part of South Gippsland’s heritage and central to the local tourism industry.
"It is an absolute shame that the jetty has been left in such a state of disrepair for so long," Russell said. "This neglect has resulted in vandalism that will no doubt add to the final restoration cost.
"Its restoration is vital, not just to the local community, but to the wider South Gippsland region.
"It will open the jetty up once again for recreational anglers, particularly those with disabilities.
"It will also open up the opportunity for the development of an underwater observatory that promises to attract many tourists to the area," he said.
Russell said the long jetty had played an important part in the development of South Gippsland and to national defence.
He said it was built during the depression as a project to provide work for the unemployed.
During the Second World War it served as a base for minesweepers and in the 1970’s had a role in the development of Esso’s Bass Strait oil field and more recently provided a link with Tasmania across Bass Strait.
Russell paid tribute to the Port Welshpool Working Group for its work in having the long jetty heritage listed.
He said that without their efforts it would most likely have been dismantled.
