Documents released under Freedom of Information (FOI) have uncovered the shock closure of the Newhaven Jetty is classified “permanent” by Labor.
The FOI was requested by Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use and The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath.
Ms Bath said Bass Coast residents will be outraged by the contents, particularly by the Allan Labor Government’s appalling decision to “do nothing” when the jetty could have been kept open.
“The documents highlight that Labor’s jetty closure was labelled “not negotiable”, after the Allan Government failed to fund and perform corrective and preventative maintenance following the closure of the southern arm six years prior.
“Labor’s refusal to divulge specifics of the engineering assessment that led to the jetty’s closure is clearly a strategy to avoid scrutiny.
“Public communications approved by the Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale, Minister for Ports’ Ministerial Office (MO) and the Premier’s Private Office (PPO) were about managing political fallout and not about creating a pathway to reopening the jetty.”
Ms Bath said deteriorating decking had become a tripping hazard on the northern arm and a small area on the approach – both easily repairable.
“Contrary to Parks Victoria’s objective to repair the jetty, Labor’s focus is cost cutting and closure, Ms Bath said.
“Three options were put forward by Parks Victoria – do nothing, corrective maintenance to replace failed beams and decking boards or preventative maintenance which would see a partial temporary closure while it was upgraded over 18 months.
“It is clear from the documents that maintenance would have allowed the jetty to remain open for a further 10 years before being replaced.
“Labor did nothing and has turned its back on the Bass Coast community.”
“The local community has for over 100 years valued the Newhaven Jetty as an important accessible land based recreational fishing platform – it must be repaired and reopened.
“Too often regional Victorians are having their public assets neglected and closed by Labor due to its inner city big build that’s been shrouded in corruption, financial mismanagement and waste.
“Labor can’t manage our public assets, can’t manage money and Bass Coast locals are paying the price.”