A $1.5 million viewing platform will be built in Lakes Entrance, following an announcement today by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester announced $750,000 in funding as part of more than $4 million in Federal Government support for local projects to boost jobs, spending and investment in Gippsland.
“With matching funding from East Gippsland Shire Council, we will be able to build a cantilevered pedestrian lookout and viewing platform for all abilities,” Mr Chester said.
“The new lookout will provide a breathtaking experience for visitors, who’ll enjoy the majestic view of the Gippsland Lakes and the entrance, Ninety Mile Beach and the ocean.
“With a key tourism drawcard like the viewing platform, we’ll be able to boost the number of visitors who come to the region and encourage them to stay longer to enjoy the area.
“Gippsland has world-class natural attractions, but unfortunately the infrastructure on public land is old and tired.
“Work is already underway with $5 million in Federal Government funding to improve pedestrian safety along the Esplanade, while the landmark footbridge had a facelift last year.
“The lookout project, along with others led by council, will improve how visitors see and experience Lakes Entrance and boost its attractiveness. More visitors will come and they’ll want to stay longer, which is good for local businesses and good for local jobs.”
The project is one of a number of initiatives to secure Federal Government funding through the Building Better Regions Fund. The other successful projects are:
Mirridong Services – $2.32 million for new accommodation units in Yarram
Hope Restart Centre – $859,850 for additional therapeutic facilities at the residential rehabilitation centre at Lucknow
Morwell Rose Garden Festival – $100,000 to expand the festival into an international event
Bnym Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for a plan to create jobs in Indigenous arts in the Latrobe Valley
Latrobe Valley Women in Business – $30,000 for a major forum and workshops to build the skills, knowledge and capability of local businesses.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring Australia’s regions remained strong, resilient and prosperous in the long term.
“We are supporting our regions through investing in important local infrastructure, as well as great community-building and planning initiatives under the Building Better Regions Fund and other government priorities such as the Regional Growth Fund and our decentralisation agenda,” Mr McCormack said.
“In this round, we are also investing more than $70 million in regional tourism infrastructure to support those many regional communities that rely on tourism to bolster their economy.
“We have seen fantastic outcomes from the first two rounds, and this announcement continues our commitment to unlocking the economic potential of regional Australia and ensuring our regions continue to thrive.”
Projects in Gippsland to receive funding through previous rounds of the Building Better Regions Fund include the construction of mountain bike trails near Omeo ($1.5 million) and the expansion of Gippsland Lakes Community Health’s Bairnsdale site ($500,000).
