Funding for Apollo Bay Harbour Precinct Redevelopment
October 29, 2018
A $12-million funding boost to redevelop the Apollo Bay Harbour Precinct will enable Colac Otway Shire Council to deliver stage one of the project, benefitting commercial operations and tourism opportunities.
Colac Otway Shire Mayor Joe McCracken said Council had been strongly advocating for funding for the harbour, as one of the shire’s priority projects, and he welcomed the Federal Government’s $12 million commitment as part of the Geelong City Deal announced by Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
“Council had sought funding for the harbour precinct redevelopment to allow the expansion of commercial fishing operations and improve the area for tourism, including building a new boardwalk and plaza space for a restaurant,” he said.
“Stage one focuses on upgrading the road entrance into the harbour precinct so it’s safer for commercial access and visitors.
“The plan is to relocate and expand port operations, construct a new port office, workshop and new buildings for storage and administration, while also creating space for the pedestrian boardwalk.
“New public amenities including showers will be built near Mother’s Beach and there will also be an upgrade of the car park near Mother’s Beach including more parking spaces.
“The precinct upgrade will also importantly provide for an extension of the Fishing Co-operative building and seafood restaurant and improving parking and road access, with the local Fishing Co-op contributing to the project cost,” Cr McCracken said.
“An upgrade of Breakwater Road is part of the plan, along with more car parking and shared space for pedestrians and vehicles, and the project will need to include power and sewer upgrades for the harbour and improved fencing around the working harbour operations.”
Cr McCracken said the Federal Government would finalise the deal with the State Government under the City Deal Memorandum of Understanding and Council was looking forward looking at a timeline for the precinct redevelopment project.
“Council will also look forward to securing the urgent funding required to maintain and upgrade the port which Council manages on behalf of the State Government,” he said.
“The State has a great asset in the working harbour which provides an economic benefit of more than $40 million a year, as well as safe blue-water haven for commercial and recreational boat users.
“But just last week we had an incident with a scallop boat called the Melas Star which became stuck as it entered the harbour because of the urgent dredging work needed at the port so we will continue our advocacy to secure funding to repair and renew the port infrastructure.
“This urgent work will cost $14.6m on top of the recently announced funding and if the State doesn’t fund it we’ll lose the Port within the next 2 or 3 years.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Sarah Henderson MP with the "Action for Apollo Bay" team from Apollo Bay/Skenes Creek and Colac Otway Shire.
LtoR - Marcus Nolle, Graham Costin, Nick Polgeest, Scott Morrison PM, John Gorman, Sarah Henderson MP, Cr Joe McCracken, Tim Cobb, Caroline Wren, Peter Brown.
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