Dredge gets Shadow Minister’s approval
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Dredge gets Shadow Minister’s approval

The Tommy Norton dredge has been given the tick of approval by Shadow Minister for Ports, David Hodgett, who labelled the vessel a “tremendous asset” during last Thursday’s visit to Lakes Entrance with Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.
 
Mr Bull said he was pleased to host the Liberal Party Leader in Lakes Entrance, giving him an in-depth reminder about the importance of maintaining a navigable entrance to Bass Strait, while discussing other matters relating to the local economy.
 
“From Bullock Island, David and I were able to view the Tommy Norton while in operation in the channels and this was pleasing given he was the responsible Minister for the previous Liberal Nationals Government, which opened expressions of interest for its construction in 2014,” Mr Bull said.
 
Mr Hodgett said he was impressed by the capabilities of the trailing suction hopper dredge, which ensures the entrance will remain navigable in the longer term.
 
“This entrance serves the tourism and commercial and recreational fishing industries, with the port generating an estimated $200 million annually, so it is vital safe access is maintained,” he said.
 
Also the Shadow Minister for Roads and Infrastructure, Mr Hodgett used his time in the region to view the state of the local road networks.
 
“Having recently announced that an elected Liberal Nationals government will reinstate the $160 million Country Roads and Bridges Program, it was pleasing to have a look at some local projects that may receive funding through this fund,” he said.
 
“This is a program that was scrapped by the Andrews Labor Government in 2015 and provided $1m per year directly to regional and rural shires across the state, including East Gippsland,” he said.
 
 
Caption: Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, and Shadow Minister for Ports, David Hodgett, on Bullock Island at Lakes Entrance this morning, chatting about issues affecting the local economy and watching the Tommy Norton in operation.
 
 
Monday, April 23, 2018