A Liberal Nationals Government will breathe new life into Paynesville’s boat yard precinct, kickstarting a major redevelopment plan, if elected in November.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Decentralisation, Peter Walsh, and The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced last Thursday an elected Liberal Nationals Government would provide a $200,000 grant to Gippsland Ports to establish the Paynesville Foreshore Redevelopment Plan.
“This funding will go towards a detailed redevelopment plan for the Paynesville boatyard precinct, to provide for a new integrated Gippsland Water Police, Paynesville Coast Guard and Gippsland Ports headquarters together with a charter operation facility, amenities and customer lounge,” Mr Bull said.
“I think most people would agree the site is currently an eyesore, particularly given its location in the heart of the iconic Gippsland Lakes and this is why we are here today making this significant announcement.
“Currently Ports and Water Police occupy the site, but Coast Guard is without a dedicated facility and that needs to be part of the discussion, as well as the retention of a hire boat facility.
“And with plans to develop a dedicated charter operation facility and amenities, it will mean more reasons visitors will be drawn to the Paynesville area, supporting our local economy.”
Bairnsdale’s Gippsland Ports office will also be relocated to the Paynesville site.
Gippsland Ports proposed the plan with the support of East Gippsland Shire Council and it will be developed with input from the Water Police and, most importantly, the community.
“The Nationals believe in backing projects, like the Paynesville foreshore redevelopment,” Mr Walsh said.
“Planning for a better Paynesville foreshore will bring more tourists to town, providing a boost for local accommodation providers, cafés and tourism operators.”
While it is not a given at this point, Paynesville Coast Guard is keen to be involved and hopeful that future planning will see it move to a new, more central precinct.
“We’re keen as mustard and would love to come here,” Paynesville Coast Guard Flotilla Commander, Jeff Williams, said.
“It would mean all of our facilities would be in one area. At the moment we’ve got an office for 56 people that’s probably no bigger than a master bedroom, a shed over here and another cubby hole over there. To have it all in the one place, on the water, where we can virtually step straight out of the office and onto the boat in an emergency situation would be ideal.
“At the moment the office is about 200 metres from the water.
“We work in closely with the police. We don’t want to be in their pockets, but we do work with them closely. About 95 per cent of what we do is dispatched by the police, so it makes sense to be near where they are.”
Mr Bull said the news followed the announcement all boating fee proceeds will be allocated to improving the facilities for the boating community, if the Liberal Nationals are elected in November, with the establishment of the Blue Infrastructure Fund.
As part of his visit last week, Mr Walsh, who is also Shadow Minister for Agriculture, had numerous discussions about the drought with farmers from right across the region with visits in Bairnsdale, Orbost and Briagolong.
PICTURED: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Decentralisation, Peter Walsh, Gippsland Coast Guard Squadron Commander, Wyn Bloomer, Paynesville Flotilla Commander, Jeff Williams, Deputy Commander, Fred Andrews, and East Gippsland Shire’s Chris Waites were in Paynesville last Thursday for the announcement of a Coalition commitment to redevelop the town’s boat yard precinct should it win the November State election.
