Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (19:11): (1534) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Environment and Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and the action I seek is for the minister to visit my electorate of Bass for a grand day out, touring our many Labor government initiatives and signature projects – upcoming, underway and completed – and meeting with many community members across my electorate. Given the confirmation just recently of the MotoGP contract not being extended beyond this year’s event, I take this opportunity to also ask that the minister in his tourism and major events portfolios joins me to meet with the Bass Coast council and stakeholders to discuss what future opportunities we can all work towards for alternate major events that will benefit my community and wider region.

The state’s largest dune reconstruction project has begun in Inverloch, with haul contractors mobilising equipment to pump 100,000 cubic metres of sand from Andersons Inlet to the surf beach area starting in April. It is the first major action of our cape-to-cape resilience plan. A $2 million contribution brings the project to $5.3 million, alongside the $1.7 million in ongoing coastal protection works and a further $700,000 to extend and repair the geotextile wall. And perhaps we can time the visit with the Equinox Festival – all things sonorous and stellar astronomical.

A visit must include an underground tour of the State Coal Mine and of course meeting with our remarkable former miners Daniel Carr, Luciano Storti, Ugo Andrighetto, Frank Cimino, Aldo Sartori, Reg Wilson and Rod McLean. Huge appreciation to the Parks Victoria team, friends and volunteers who care for and champion this treasured site. Our $1.5 million investment brings the tunnels up to scratch. We just need a tad more, please, to get the drift car, which we committed to, back up and running again.

Across our coast, boat ramp upgrades are transforming access. Lang Lang is almost complete, and Tooradin begins construction in early March. Planning continues at Cannons Creek, Newhaven and Corinella. Recently upgraded and open are Inverloch, Mahers Landing, Rhyll and Cowes. Our fishing clubs are thriving, including the now 115-member Warneet Fishing Club, led by the amazing president Carly Edwards. It is welcoming, inclusive and family focused. Yes, they need a clubroom, and the rec reserve is a perfect location.

On the landcare front, Bass Coast Landcare Network just received $200,000 for a new seed bank. Devon Meadows is tackling rabbits. Phillip Island with the Bunurong Land Council is planting 3000 ‍plants in endangered swamp scrubs. The South Gippsland Conservation Society is restoring 5.8 ‍hectares. The Western Port, which is a UNESCO biosphere, with surrounds including the woodlands – great walks – offers extraordinary environmental values, including a Ramsar wetland. It is where people, environment, industry and agriculture all come together. We need a strategic whole-of-bay framework. Moonlit Sanctuary in Pearcedale is celebrating its 25th anniversary. There is so much to see and so many to meet. Come on down.