Boat ramps
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:09): (735) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Outdoor Recreation in the other place. The government has invested heavily in boating infrastructure, which is welcome, but it has not come without a few issues. The maintenance of the new or refurbished ramps seems to be a pain point. Like most things you build, ongoing care is needed for peak performance. I have been sent pictures of the Avalon boat ramp, which looks pretty ordinary – ordinary to the point of almost being impassable due to the build-up of seaweed and other items that wash up as a result of the natural way wave action works. I am told this is not an isolated case and that many other places have similar issues. My question is: particularly as it is peak snapper season and the boat ramps are probably at their peak usage, will the minister prioritise the immediate maintenance and clean-up of boat ramps to ensure that the nearly 1 million fishos in Victoria that fish from a boat can get their boats in and out of the water safely?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:09): I thank Mr Bourman for his question. The matter will be referred to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation for a response consistent with the standing orders.
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:10): I thank the minister for forwarding it on. I know cash is a bit tight for the government now, but will the government allocate sufficient funding for ongoing clean-up and clearing works of the boat ramps to ensure that the public is getting the most it can out of the investment made in this infrastructure?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:10): Again I thank Mr Bourman for his question, and consistent with the substantive question the supplementary will be referred to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation.