The Beagle Editor,
Your readers might be interested in the latest pork barrel announcement by the Prime Minister saying "If reelected we are offering $20 mil marine infrastructure grants to improve facilities for fishos, boaties and campers
In a press appearance delivered at a boating super store on the mid north coast of NSW in the marginal seat of Robertson the Prime Minister highlighted the importance this sector of the market brings to local councils especially those like Eurobodalla located along the coast.
He stated ”Recreational fishing has significant economic and regional benefits – it’s good for regional tourism, creates local jobs and supports small and family businesses. Recreational fishing delivers over $1.8 billion to the economy every year.”
He went on to state ”We are also committed to maintaining our robust Australian Marine Park network in its current form, to provide certainty to our fishers.”
Please note this last statement and we will see if the NSW Government hears his message.
While this announcement is just an extension of the $2.1 mil grants offered by DPI in January of this year 2022 – see the Facebook post by the Batemans Bay Boaters Association here (https://www.facebook.com/BBBoaters) it does highlight the Federal Government commitment to this sector.
The Batemans Bay Boaters Association speculates that DPI may have been overwhelmed by the scramble for money for boat ramps and other facilities and that the Prime Minister “read the room” and has offered a huge bucket of money to support boaters and fishers during this election.
I can see the local Liberal candidate for Gilmore committing money to the local boat ramp upgrades to promote his chances at this Federal election – unfortunately he has to work through the local Council Director. So don't expect much to be delivered.
When the Association offered to assist Eurobodalla Council in highlighting the opportunities at the last grant funding cycle they received the standard brush-off letter from the Infrastructure Support Coordinator who had not even done basic investigations of the past work the Association had undertaken since 2015.
No information was forthcoming regarding what Council had applied for, if any at all.
The Boaters Association has again offered to assist Council identify where the latest funds could be well applied based on our local boating knowledge but Council need the public's help.
The Prime Minister’s press release request their assistance saying:
“If you know of a location that would benefit from new or improved fishing, boating or camping facilities in your area, you can contact your local council to advocate for their application to this program.”
The appropriate Minister’s Office contact number is 0408 819 399
Eurobodalla Council's phone number is 4471000
Harry Watson Smith
Batemans Bay Boaters Association
