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Shire Nets Vital Boating Safety Grants

East Gippsland Shire has netted two vital State Government grants to improve boating safety in the municipality.

By East Gippsland Shire Council - 22nd July 2004 - Back to News

The Shire will receive $187,000 towards the construction of a double boat ramp with additional floating pontoons at the King Street boat ramp, in Paynesville, as well as another $135,000 for the replacement of the deteriorating boat ramp at Bemm River.

The Manns Beach Improvement Committee of Management will receive $980 to resurface the Manns Beach boat ramp while the Lakes Entrance Ocean Rescue Squad will receive $11,282 to train operators of offshore rescue boats.

The Paynesville Rescue Squad will receive $3,064 for safety equipment.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Infrastructure, Carlo Carli, and the Member for Morwell District, Brendan Jenkins, announced the 2003/04 Boating Safety and Facilities Program grants while visiting the region last week.

Mr Carli said the program, which was funded by re-investing recreational boat operator licensing fees and vessel registration revenue, would help improve boating safety education and training, purchase search and rescue vessels and equipment, enhance access to waterways and upgrade boat ramps and jetties in the area.

East Gippsland Councillor Michael Freshwater, who attended the regional announcement, said the funding was great news for recreational boat users in the Shire.

Cr Freshwater said the Council would provide significant contributions to both projects - $87,700 towards the Bemm River floating jetty and $58,600 towards the Paynesville Boat Ramp.

"The floating jetty is integral to the economy of the Bemm River village, given its popularity as an all season’s fishing destination," Cr Freshwater said. "The proposal is to dismantle the existing high-risk floating jetty and construct a new one. Shore-based ancillary works to upgrade the carpark and access ways are included and will be entirely funded by Council."

Cr Freshwater said the Paynesville project involved replacing the existing double boat ramp with a three-lane facility, plus provision for a floating jetty between the sections to provide access for all.

"A comprehensive inspection in October 2003 revealed the existing ramp to be in a very deteriorated condition and it needed to be replaced as soon as possible.

"Paynesville has become one of the major boating centres for the Gippsland Lakes, with both powered and unpowered craft ranging from small boats to larger vessels, up to 40 feet in length, using the facility."

Cr Freshwater said the Shire had consulted with Gippsland Ports, Paynesville Business and Tourism Association, Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club and Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club on the project.

For media enquiries contact Cr Freshwater on 5153 9500

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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