- Published:
- Friday 15 June 2018
The Andrews Labor Government is funding a major extension of the Clifton Springs fishing platform to help more keen anglers cast a line on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville today announced the Labor Government will upgrade and double the length of the existing fishing platform — ensuring more people can fish, more often.
The new, extended platform will provide the communities of Clifton Springs and Drysdale with a stable place to fish, close to the existing boat launching precinct that features toilets, car parking and fish cleaning facilities.
The 35-metre extension will include a light at the end of the platform, hand rails and rod holders along its length to make it more convenient to wet a line for calamari, flathead, whiting or small snapper — all prized table fish.
The project has been made possible by $320,000 from the Labor Government and is expected to be complete by mid-October 2018, in time for the warmer weather and the Christmas holidays.
The existing 35-metre Clifton Springs fishing platform was a Labor election commitment in 2014, following a strong community campaign after the previous wooden piers fell into disrepair and started to fall down.
The Labor Government provided $250,000 to build the existing platform, which opened last year — today’s announcement doubles down on that important investment.
The project complements the Labor Government’s Target One Million flagship plan to end commercial net fishing in nearby Corio Bay, which was achieved in April, and end all commercial net fishing in Port Phillip Bay by 2022.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Whether you’re a local in Clifton Springs or a keen angler from further afield, the extension to the fishing platform will get more people fishing and help support the local economy — and that means jobs.”
“Through our Target One Million plan, we’re growing recreational fishing and giving families better opportunities to spend quality time together outdoors.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“Our Target One Million plan has already delivered immense benefits for Victorian anglers, including a record fish stocking of six million, better access and facilities for anglers, and an end to commercial net fishing in Corio Bay.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
“This second stage of the jetty is a great win for the community. We have one of the highest rates of recreational fishing in the state and this will help grow that even further.”