Boating facilities in two East Coast towns are poised to receive major upheavals.
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Facilities in Swansea and Triabunna will share in $1.8 million worth of new marine infrastructure should the Coalition be re-elected, with the state government has pledging $700,000 to the cause and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council $260,000.
The funding, which was announced by Liberal Lyons MHR Eric Hutchinson on Friday, would see the Swansea boat ramp benefit from a new breakwater and an elevated dual lane boat ramp.
Triabunna’s boating facilities would also be expanded to feature a loading and unloading wharf and a public fuel supply facility.
Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Michael Kent said he was pleased the two projects were beginning to gain traction.
“They've been on the drawing board (for a while) but you need to get everybody involved; state government, federal government, local council and of course the people that are responsible for the waterways and jetties which is MAST,” Cr Kent said.
“All those people are on side.”
Cr Kent expected the Swansea development would make life much easier for Swansea Marine Rescue, who, like other users of the facility, are currently only able to use the boat ramp during high and mid tides.
“I think Swansea is paramount for safety, they've got strong winds up there and strong currents every now and then and they've got a good surfing organisation up there that are helping when people get into some sort of stress.
“I think they had a number of issues last year and this will help (those) numbers be reduced.”
Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said the two projects would provide “vital infrastructure” for the East Coast.
“These projects will provide Tasmanians and the increasing number of visitors to the state safe, more reliable access to some of the finest recreational fishing waters in Australia,” Mr Hidding said.
“The Tasmanian government is committed to improving infrastructure on the East Coast and this is another example of what can be achieved by working with our federal colleagues to invest in new facilities that will benefit the whole region.”