The State Government’s recently released Draft Marine and Coastal Policy is causing concern for many locals with numerous pieces of private infrastructure on Crown land under threat of being moved.

The draft policy proposes private jetties should be removed or relocated “as the opportunity arises”.

The Draft Marine and Coastal Policy states private infrastructure such as jetties are “inappropriate” near or on water.

The draft policy also lists beach boxes, beach access paths and fishing huts as “structures that are not appropriate to be located” near or on the water.

Other non-essential structures include community halls and commercial function centres.

It proposes to “relocate existing buildings, structures and facilities that do not need to be on marine and coastal Crown land away from that land when suitable opportunities arise”.

Gippsland Ports chief executive officer, Chris Waites, encouraged everyone concerned with elements of the policy, particularly those who live along the Gippsland Lakes that could be affected them, to have their say.

“The policy is open for comment until August 15 and the public can offer their feedback. I know DELWP is running some public hearings so people should go along if they have any issues they want to raise,” he said.

“Gippsland Ports will certainly provide a response with some of the issues we have with the policy.

“The policy certainly seems focused on the use of Crown land for public use rather than private. It seems that it may focus too much on private infrastructure.

“I expect there will be a lot of comments coming back about this because it could potentially have an impact.

“It is clear that they want the public to profit from Crown land. It would definitely have an impact on private jetty owners in the Lakes.”

You can have your say on the new draft Marine and Coastal Policy with online consultation open until August 15.

A community information session will be held in Bairnsdale on Wednesday, July 24, at the Bairnsdale RSL from 5pm to 7pm.

A short 20-minute presentation will be provided at 6pm. The project team will be available from 5pm to 7pm to meet with you and discuss your questions.

The final policy will be released on December 31 later this year.