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.
Good news for Welshpool but what is the impact on the understanding for promise of post election funding for $ towards Hillview 70 bed Aged Care Expansion
This fantastic news for Port Welshpool and the entire region of Sth Gippsland.
If the Coalition Govt is returned when is it likely that works would commence?? As detailed in the press release it has been a long process and further delay would be extremely disappointing
I was in mid 30’s when I discovered the Long Jetty.It provided me with many hours of pleasure just hanging a fish line over the edge.
Over the last 10 years, I have been wishing that I could do the same again after my retirement. Sadly, not to be . At this rate of change, I will be well 6 feet below ground by the time repairs start. It should never have been allowed to reach this stage. Nonetheless, the next generation will be able to benefit from it…soon? I hope.
now that the victorian government is cashed up to the tune of 9.5 billion will they help with the funding for the rebuilding of the long jetty?
Thanks for the question Brian. The Federal, State and local government have all committed funds to the Long Jetty.
I still haven’t seen any announcement about the availability of funds from the National Stronger Regions Fund from the Minister as yet, any idea when this will happen.
Between 30 and 50 years old, I spent so much time fishing
on this jetty.I am now 70, and I have waited for the last 10 years to resume my old hobby, when the jetty is re-opened. But at this rate, by the time it is finally re-opened, I will probably be fishing with angels from above.
Now that the election has been run and won, when will your funds go to the rebuild program and when will it start ?