The Nationals’ Melina Bath MP has called on the Allan Government to fast track funding to reopen the Old Port walking track in Port Albert.
Speaking in state parliament, Ms Bath said the state managed Old Port walking track had fallen into disrepair and is now inaccessible.
“It is unacceptable that Labor is choosing to close Parks Victoria managed tracks instead of allocating funding to perform preventative and corrective maintenance to keep them open.
“Eco infrastructure such as the Old Port walking track connect people with nature and must be maintained to ensure they are safe and accessible for locals and tourists.
“Port Albert is a historic tourist area, and the closure of Old Port walking track negatively impacts tourism and the local economy.
“Locals deserve to know why Labor has allowed Old Port track to fall into disrepair, and they must be given a timeframe for its reopening.”
Ms Bath said the Allan Labor Government has an appalling history of falling to rebuild damaged public infrastructure and shutting out the public.
“Five years on from the East Gippsland fires and floods there is a long list of tracks that remain closed without reopening timeframes, while Sealers Cover walking track at Wilsons Promontory National Park remains shut despite Labor promising it would re-open in 2024.
“In the last state budget, the Allan Government cut $95 million and 100 jobs which were mostly field based.
“Parks Victoria need more boots and less suits in Parks Victoria.
“Regional Victorians are tired of the city-centric Labor Government pushing important regional projects to the bottom of their priority pile.
“Urban projects get fixed pronto, but regional ones critical to our visitor economy continually get pushed back.
“Labor must prioritise Old Port walking tack for repair and reopen it as a matter of priority.”
