Vic Minister and Boating Industry at odds

Earlier this month, Victorian Minister for Ports David Hodgett met with a range of people from the boating industry at a Ministerial Roundtable to discuss strategies to further improve local ports infrastructure and the recreational boating sector.

Mr Hodgett, who met with representatives from peak bodies, local government, and State Government departments, said that the Roundtable provided a great forum to discuss opportunities in the boating sector and convey insights from different stakeholders into ways they can be achieved.

“The Ministerial Roundtable gave us an opportunity to discuss issues that are important to the sector. These included having a strategic view of statewide boating infrastructure priorities, managing congestion in peak season with car parking and boat ramp access improvements, and being aware of the growth of the population and popularity of boating and private water craft use," he said.

"In Victoria, there are around 360,000 boating licence holders and more than 170,000 vessels registered. This demonstrates a strong community interest in recreational boating activities.

“The Coalition Government acknowledges that there is increasing demand for facilities during the peak boating season. We also acknowledge that we have a role in facilitating and maintaining key boating infrastructure. That’s why we are firmly committed to improving boating facilities and services across the state.”

Recent commitments by the Government to the recreational boating sector include an investment of $20 million over four years from 2011 for the Boating Safety and Facilities program, which delivers $5 million each year to benefit recreational boaters and local communities throughout Victoria.

Examples of recent boating facility projects around Victoria include:
• $1.49 million to construct a new four lane boat ramp in Portland, the home of tuna fishing in the state;
• In excess of $600,000 for Stage 3 of the Boating and Swimming Zones upgrade in Port Phillip Bay from Elwood to Mount Martha;
• Upgrading of boat ramps at Warneet and Tooradin, as well as a full renewal of the Kananook Creek ramp at Frankston ;
• Upgrades to car and boat parking facilities at Tooradin and Altona;
• Funding for more itinerant berthing at Patterson River and St Kilda; and
• Funding for numerous inland waterway boating projects including at Lake Eildon and in Northern Victoria.

“Recreational boating is more popular than ever and a way of life for many Victorians. We will continue to invest in infrastructure and services across our magnificent coast to ensure both Victorians and visitors to our state get the most out of our waterways,” Mr Hodgett said.