Repairs to the failed training wall at the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes, which Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, has been seeking for some time, are set to be undertaken with funding announced today.
“Earlier last year I had the Shadow Minster down to inspect the wall and it was to be prioritised if we were elected. That did not happen, so having raised the sea walls again in parliament, it is pleasing the funding has been provided,” said Mr Bull.
“I was concerned that while the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning had submitted a business case with a proposal for remediation, repair and replacement of these assets, funding was not included in that year's budget.
“At the time I asked the Environment Minister to meet with the East Gippsland Shire Council to discuss the Lakes Entrance Critical Asset Protection (seawall replacement) Program of which the repair of the training walls was a significant component.
“The Shire had submitted a funding application to the Australian Government’s Regional Growth Fund for a suite of investment projects in Lakes Entrance, however they were reliant on certainty regarding the upgrade of seawall infrastructure.
“This announcement is a small but important first step in progressing the Lakes Entrance Critical Asset Protection Program and I would like to congratulate the East Gippsland Shire and Gippsland Ports for their great work in achieving this outcome.”
Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, showing then Shadow Minister Nick Wakeling the damaged section of the eastern training wall at Lakes Entrance.
