Western Victoria will receive more than $300,000 for a number of projects including the installation of a floating jetty at Portland Harbour and installation of a new ramp and road upgrades at Kaniva in the 2009-10 round of the Brumby Government’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program.
“The Brumby Government is committed to working with community groups to ensure a safer boating environment and for the provision of safe boating facilities,” Upper House Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said.
Other successful projects include:
• The design and investigation of Simpson Street ramp and jetty on the Hopkins River, Warrnambool
• The upgrade to parking and access to the Jubilee Park boat ramp on the Hopkins River, Warrnambool
• The installation of a new ramp and additional parking on the Glenelg River, Nelson
• The installation of floating jetties at Lake Purrumbete
• The installation of a new ramp, expansion of parking and road access at Taylors Lake
Ms Tierney said that 63 projects across the State will receive funding from the 2009-10 program with the aim of making boating safer and more accessible for all Victorians.
“Funding is being provided to boating, fishing and community groups, local waterway authorities, government agencies, committees of management and search and rescue organisations across the State.”
“Improving boating safety is a high priority for the Brumby Government and our aim is to continue to reduce the number of boating-related injuries and fatalities on Victoria’s waterways.”
Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said since the first year of the program in 2001-02 the Victorian Government has re-invested more than $41 million into the Boating Safety and Facilities Program, which is funded by a portion of revenue received from recreational boat operator licensing fees and vessel registration fees.
Mr Pallas said the Government was providing funding in this year’s program to improve boating safety education and training, purchase search and rescue vessels and equipment, provide navigational aids and boating safety signage, upgrade and construct boating facilities and install marine communications.
The program will also continue to support a range of state-wide programs including:
• boating safety public awareness campaigns
• boating safety research focussing on injuries and fatalities
• boating safety education programs
• boating safety publications
“The Boating Safety and Facilities Program shows that the Brumby Government takes safety on our waterways as seriously as safety on our roads,” Mr Pallas said.
For further information, including the full list of supported projects visit www.marinesafety.vic.gov.au or call Marine Safety Victoria on freecall
1800 337 222.