A re-elected Coalition Government will commit $4.858 million toward the reconstruction of the Port Welshpool Long Jetty.

Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester made the announcement today.

Mr Broadbent said he was thrilled to be able to make the major infrastructure investment for the Port Welshpool Long Jetty and said it will deliver extensive benefits to the region.

“It’s certainly been a long process and one that has often been difficult to talk about publicly because of the confidentiality clauses imposed on such large scale government spending,” Mr Broadbent said.

“Together with the community, I have been fighting relentlessly over a number of years for the restoration of the Port Welshpool Long Jetty for the McMillan community and I’m proud that together, we have finally prevailed in securing this funding.”

Minister Chester said Russell Broadbent had advocated strongly within government to secure the funding under the Coalition’s Community Development Grants programme on behalf of local residents.

“To create jobs and boost tourism, we need to invest in public infrastructure,” Mr Chester said.

“This is a huge win for the South Gippsland community and it will happen because Russell Broadbent has fought so hard to secure this funding on their behalf.”

Mr Broadbent said countless hours of work had gone into the long-term campaign to secure Commonwealth funding.

“The fight to secure this funding was long and hard and there was extensive behind-the-scenes work and hundreds of hours put into delivering this great outcome,” Mr Broadbent said.

The South Gippsland Shire Council finally secured the successful tender with a well-developed submission, but it was a long and hard battle behind the scenes, and this was especially the case in a time when governments are under added pressure to spend prudently.

“I would like to thank all those who have stayed true to the cause. The Council’s application went up against many others from across the county. It ticked all the boxes under the application criteria of value for money, the promotion of economic growth and addressing issues of social disadvantage,” Mr Broadbent said.

“I believe this project will have ongoing benefits for the region, drawing sightseers and fishing people from far and wide. The flow on effects of the tourist dollar will be significant for not just Port Welshpool and Welshpool, but all of Gippsland.”

Mr Broadbent said his office had been in direct and long term contact with the office of Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash in regards to jetty funding.

“I thank Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash, Minister for Infrastructure Darren Chester and former Victorian Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan for all their efforts in helping to ensure the successful delivery of this funding,” Mr Broadbent said.