On 29 June I joined the Minister for Regional and Rural Development in Portland to announce a $4.6 million upgrade to the Portland harbour. The Brumby Labor government will contribute $3.1 million to the project under the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund, with the remaining $1.5 million from the Glenelg shire. This upgrade will ensure that Portland benefits from the full potential of its tourism appeal. It will allow for larger cruise ships to stop over in Portland, resulting in passengers spending their tourism dollars in Portland.
The upgrade will also build on Portland’s fishing industry, allowing for new berthing facilities which can cope with larger vessels to accommodate higher-end recreational fishing.
As well as benefiting the commercial fishing industry in Portland, this upgrade is expected to generate almost 200 jobs when the facilities are fully operational, with an extra 66 jobs over the two-year construction phase.