By ANEEKA SIMONIS
REBUILDING the Lang Lang pier which “should never have been pulled down” will be a “priority” for Brian Paynter if he wins the State Election.
The Liberal candidate for Bass met with passionate fisherman Michael del Marco along the foreshore 11 days out from the election in support of rebuilding the jetty estimated at one million dollars.
“Our local fishermen need a jetty that is within easy reach of where they live and the Cardinia Shire needs a jetty within its boundaries,” Mr Paynter said.
“It is certainly something that I will continue to work hard to deliver if elected.”
Mr del Marco said the jetty, which was knocked down seven years ago due to extensive storm damage, meant noticeably fewer people came into the area.
“We noticed a real difference after it was pulled down. Families weren’t coming here … they were going to Phillip Island or to Warneet,” he said.
“If it were rebuilt, it would bring more families down. I stayed here when I was a kid and we loved it. There were people here all the time. Now, you only see diehard fishermen here … they come right on the tide and as soon as it’s gone, they go.”
Mr Paynter said the pier should have been repaired rather than knocked down several years ago.
“It was a decision that shouldn’t have been made … it should have been reinstated. To build something brand new costs a fortune, not to mention the planning you have to go through but to fix the old one might have been half a million,” he said.
Mr Paynter said rebuilding the pier might give families the opportunity to spend more time together.
“Fishing is a low-cost basic recreational activity that mum and dad can do with the kids at any age. It’s easy, it’s close, the area has good access … it’s the ideal location and an ideal recreation,” he said.
Mr del Marco said he and locals would chip in labour and funding help if the jetty plans go ahead.
“I have spoken to a couple of guys and they said they would come help build the (jetty) in their own free time, and I reckon I could get a lot of fund-raisers going. Everyone is in support of it,” he said.
Mr del Marco started Bring Back the Lang Lang Pier Facebook page seven months ago which has attracted the support of 1651 users.
Mr Paynter said he had met with the steering group Lang Lang foreshore committee, Parks Victoria, Rotary, DEPI and Cardinia Shire councillors who have discussed plans to rebuild the jetty.
