Boat-owners and anglers get a further boost

Our Bays Vision - the bays and maritime initiative

Melbourne's bays infrastructure will receive immediate and future upgrades thanks to $4 million in Brumby Labor Government funding that will create jobs in the tourism, marine services and aquaculture industries.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the funding, added to the $5 million provided last year to begin improvements to Port Phillip and Westernport Bays to ensure they remained vibrant places for Victorian businesses and the community.

Media Release - 3 July 2009

Bays and Maritime Initiative

As managers of over 4 million hectares of land and water, including the local ports of Port Phillip and Westernport (the Bays), which have over 40 piers, jetties, marinas and boat ramps, Parks Victoria are committed at both a national and local level, for healthy and vibrant maritime environments, communities and industries. Each year over 40 million visits are made to piers and jetties on the Bays, both on and off water.

Parks Victoria understands the important role that the Bays play in providing opportunities for both recreational users and also the economic contribution that the Bays play to Victoria.

The Bays have widespread appeal and support a wide range of uses, whether it is boating, fishing, swimming, relaxing or promenading on the water's edge, all of which are key ingredients of Melbourne's liveability.

The public maritime infrastructure that supports these activities, such as piers, jetties and boat ramps are vital community assets, however they are ageing and some of them are not meeting community expectations. Recreational boating in particular is an increasingly popular pursuit, with rates of boat ownership rising in recent years.

The Bays and Maritime Initiative supports the development of better environment outcomes at key precincts, improved community access, upgrade of maritime infrastructure and improved planning and management for key precincts and activity nodes with benefits to recreational users, maritime, tourism and aquaculture industries.

The Initiative aligns closely with key government policy documents including the draft Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008 and the Central Coastal Board's Boating Coastal Action Plan.

Parks Victoria is excited about its bays and maritime responsibilities, and looks to continue to work at facilitating opportunities to improve the environmental, recreational and health benefits of Port Phillip and Westernport.

Whole of Government approach

Parks Victoria is working closely with the following government departments and agencies to develop the Bays and Maritime Initiative:

• Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Department of Planning and Community Development
• Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
• Department of Transport
• Department of Primary Industries
• Department of Treasury and Finance
• Tourism Victoria
• Marine Safety Victoria.

Parks Victoria is also working with local governments and key stakeholders in developing the Bays and Maritime Initiative.

Bays and Maritime Capital Works

Port Phillip and Westernport's piers, jetties, islands and marine reserves have a rich history of settlement, recreation, fishing and defence for Victoria. Piers and jetties play a significant role in providing recreational opportunities as well as the necessary infrastructure for aquaculture, marine industries, transport and tourism.

In May 2008, the Victorian Government provided Parks Victoria with $2.5m additional funding to undertake a capital works program on Port Phillip over 2008/09. The works will see upgrades to popular maritime facilities including:

• upgrades to the Patterson River boat launching facility
• repairs to the structure of Mordialloc Pier
• repairs and upgrades to Kerferd Road Pier;
• upgrades of navigational aids for recreational boating
• improvements to boat mooring facilities at Williamstown

A further $10 million, over 4 years, was awarded to Parks Victoria in 2007 for upgrades to:

• Flinders Pier
• Queenscliff Pier
• Rosebud Pier
• Frankston Pier
• Mornington Pier

This year has seen planning underway and extensive community consultation for Flinders, Mornington and Queenscliff piers.

Additional funding also saw the completion of stage 1 of capital works at Victoria's busiest boat launching facility at Patterson River. This facility has over 52,000 launches a year.

Parks Victoria manages over 40 piers and jetties in Port Phillip and Westernport that families and anglers use every day. Whether you take a stroll on one, moor your boat or fish, piers and jetties are a great way to enjoy our wonderful bays and inlets.

Patterson River