Gippsland South electorate
Mr D O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:36): (5953) My question is to the Minister for Ports and Freight, also in her role as Minister for Fishing and Boating, and the question is: will the minister agree to provide funding to Gippsland Ports for the replacement of the McLoughlins Beach jetty? This issue has been dragging on for years, much to the frustration of the residents of McLoughlins Beach. The jetty is a significant tourism asset and is used by boaties and fishermen accessing Nooramunga and Corner inlets and of course Bass Strait. Gippsland Ports has indicated it will continue to provide maintenance only on the jetty, but its deteriorating state suggests that the point is coming where that will not be enough. The government is spending boating and fishing licence fees on new and upgraded facilities around Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay but very little in Gippsland South. McLoughlins Beach residents are already angry that the government, through Parks Victoria, has closed a public toilet at the jetty and refuses to reopen it. When will Gippsland and specifically McLoughlins Beach get their fair share?