Queenscliff Wharf Precinct upgrade

The Victorian Government says its $1 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) has teamed up with the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) to deliver a $1 million boost to the Queenscliff Fisherman’s Wharf Precinct, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has announced.

The funding will complete the rebuild of the Queenscliff Fisherman’s Wharf, build a new stingray feeding attraction and upgrade works in the Dinghy Basin precinct, with the RGF and DEPI investing $500,000 each.

Mr Smith said the project would deliver jobs, investment and social benefits.

"This will be a real boost to jobs in the local area with estimates that the project will provide around 30 construction jobs and 80 new jobs in Queenscliff within five years," Mr Smith said.

"The stingray attraction in the Cayzer Slipway will be the first of its kind in Australia. When open in 2014, 600 shows are expected to be seen by around 90,000 people each year.

"The development of the precinct will have enormous flow on impacts for existing tourist destinations in Queenscliff and around the broader Bellarine Peninsula, generating around $1.5 million a year in tourism expenditure."

"This region has a strong culture of fishing, boating and marine activities and precinct will complement and give a focal point to existing harbour developments," Mr Ryan said.

Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd has also made a contribution of $480,000 and the Borough of Queenscliff has committed $80,000 to the project.

Subject to relevant approvals, project works are expected to commence in early 2014 and be completed by late 2014.