The Paynesville foreshore is set for a major transformation following the announcement of a $6.35 million grant to develop a new Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub.
Mayor Cr John White welcomed the news of the funding through the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program, one of eight projects funded across Victoria.
“The modern and contemporary facility will benefit the whole community and replace the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club building that has served the Paynesville and broader sailing community well for decades,” Cr White said.
“The facility needs redeveloping to meet current and future uses. The current building, relocated to the site in the 1940s, has undergone multiple extensions over the years but now requires replacement due to deteriorating foundations and structure, and accessibility issues.
“It is great to see the value of this project has been recognised by the Commonwealth through this incredibly competitive grant program.
“This project will support the yacht club with their continued attraction of world class events, and community use of the foreshore more broadly.”
The new multi-purpose community facility will include amenities and boat storage, meeting and social spaces, multi-functional spaces, public deck and function hall. The project will open one of East Gippsland’s iconic waterfront sites up for community enjoyment, as well as supporting local water sports clubs.
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“Our team at council has been working on this project with key user groups, community representatives and other key stakeholders over the past few years. This funding (1:1 with council contribution) is a significant milestone and testament to the work done by all involved,” Cr White said.
“We look forward to the next steps of this project and we will keep the community and project partners informed with project updates and opportunities to have their say about the project now that funding has been secured.”
The project demonstrates the government’s commitment to listening to local voices and funding priorities that benefit Victoria’s regions.
“The Gippsland Lakes shared community hub is something East Gippsland Shire Council has been calling for, and I’m thrilled Federal Labor has delivered it for the local community,” Federal Labor Senator for Victoria, Raff Ciccone, said.
“The project will provide huge benefits, bringing together facilities and outdoor event spaces in a great location.
“I’m proud to be part of an Albanese Labor Government who believes in boosting our regions and building the infrastructure we need to thrive.”
Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club is the region’s largest yacht club, and one of the most active clubs in regional Victoria, hosting state and national sailing regattas as well as events such as the Paynesville Music Festival, Paynesville Classic Boat Rally and Marlay Point Overnight Race.
This project will support world class sailing events for the next 50 to 75 years, expand ability to attract yachting events (including world championships) to Paynesville and East Gippsland, and maximise the commercial and visitor economy opportunities of a unique waterside location.
GLYC Commodore Gary Maskiell said the new facilities will provide a “home and meeting place well into the future” for the club and many other local community groups.
“It is very exciting to be
part of what is a very inspiring and positive future for the 87-year-old community-based sailing club in Paynesville,” Gary said.
“This new facility will improve the visitor experience and help showcase the area to sailors from all over Australia that come to Paynesville Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club events. This weekend we are hosting the International 2.4-metre class Australian Championships, followed on February 15 and 16 by the Victorian Trailable Yacht Championships, and on March 8 and 9 the iconic Marlay Point Overnight Yacht Race.”
The new building will provide a home for the Kingfisher Dragon Boat Club.
Club president Zonda Lynn said this will be a great opportunity for the Paynesville and district community to use and enjoy a fabulous facility on the Gippsland Lakes with on-water activities, community spaces for venue hire and to allow the growth of existing clubs.
“How exciting, we are so pleased we are involved with this project,” Zonda said.
Planning for this project began in November 2022 with funding from Regional Development Victoria to create concept plans and construction drawings. The design highlights the lakeside setting, improving functionality while showcasing Paynesville and the wider region as a national destination.
A Project Reference Group (PRG), and a Project Working Group (PWG) was established to help guide this project moving forward.
Members of both groups have contributed their knowledge about relevant issues on behalf of the key stakeholder groups they represent; these include the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, Kingfisher Dragon Boat Club, Paynesville Business and Tourism Association, local community, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Paynesville Coast Guard and Gippsland Ports.
Council chief executive officer Fiona Weigall said council officers have worked closely with a dedicated project reference group and key stakeholders to develop a design which accommodates multiple uses and stakeholder needs.
“This collaboration has led to the final stages of producing a detailed design. We value the enthusiasm and contribution made by many,” Ms Weigall said.
“While some elements of the plan are fixed due to regulations and funding, community feedback will be sought on some aspects of the development. We look forward to engaging with the community further on this project, through updates and where there are opportunities to provide feedback.”
*COMMENTS FROM COMMODORE
Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club welcomes the announcement of funding through the Australian Governments Growing Regions program to redevelop the club premises. Gary Maskiell Commodore of the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club believes that this very exciting and inspiring facility will provide a positive future for the community-based sailing club established in Paynesville 87 years ago.
“It will provide a modern facility for the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club and local community groups well into the future,” Mr Maskiell said.
In addition, Gary believes this new facility will also improve the visitor experience to our town and showcase the area to sailors from all over Australia, who stay
in Paynesville for events hosted by Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club every year. In the past two months Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club has hosted the TS 16 class and the International 2.4m class yachts for their Australian Championship. These successful events have attracted sailors and their families to Paynesville who have directly supported many local businesses. Further events to be hosted by the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club are the Victorian Trailable Yacht Championships on February 15 and 16, and the iconic Marlay Point Overnight Yacht Race March 8 and 9.
