By Kyra Gillespie
Lang Lang will reel in long-awaited funding for a new jetty and boat ramp under an elected Liberal Nationals Government.
Meeting with Lang Lang Boat Ramp Action Group at the dilapidated site on Tuesday 16 October, Bass MP Brian Paynter and Deputy Opposition Leader David Hodgett promised a new infrastructure fund to pay for the project.
Under a Guy Government, a Blue Infrastructure Fund will be created to provide infrastructure and services for recreational water users including new and improved boat ramps and jetties.
Of those, the Lang Lang ramp and jetty will be first priority.
The original Lang Lang jetty was demolished in 2006 after it suffered storm damage in 2004.
In the 12 years ensuing, no Government body has committed to its replacement.
“They took the old jetty down and promised us another one, but we never got another jetty,” Lang Lang Caravan Park Manager Frank Dickson said.
“The committee have been trying to get it back for 12 years without success.
“The ramp here is terrible; your car’s full of water before the boat’s even floated.
“In summer we have lots of families come down to have a fish and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to pull people and their vehicles from the side of the ramp when they’ve fallen into mud. I see a lot of people get into trouble there.”
Mr Dickson said there was “no doubt” that the community and surrounds would benefit from the upgrade.
“I have no doubt about it; you should see how many people come down here in the summertime.
“It’s the only place Cardinia has next to the water, so it will be great to get it done.”
The original jetty serviced people from a broad area, including the north and west of Pakenham, through to Warragul and all areas in between.
“The area used to be thriving with the jetty and the ramp, but now it’s really lacking decent infrastructure for the boating and fishing community,” Adam Davey, of Davey Marine said.
“Not only will it be good for the families, but it will provide a good boost for employment, with more businesses and people moving to the area.
“People pay a lot of money to launch their boats at these facilities yet our ramps are the worst in the country.
“We are one of the biggest growth corridors in Greater Melbourne and deserve better facilities.”
The Victorian Government collects around $27 million annually from boat registrations and marine licenses, however, it is estimated that only $3 million per year is reinvested into boating infrastructure.
The Libs have pledged that the Blue Infrastructure Fund will return all proceeds of collected boating fees into the boating and angling community.
“Fishing has been a favourite past time for families for generations,” Member for Bass, Brian Paynter said.
“Our government will ensure that anglers and boasting enthusiasts will have the facilities they need and deserve’.
“The Andrews Government has kept anglers money for far too long. We will use this money for its rightful purpose and that is improving boating and fishing infrastructure’.
The Lang Lang Foreshore Committee is meeting with Labor candidate for Bass Jordan Crugnale next week to hear her election promise to the project.
