Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Williamstown maritime precinct

Ms HORNE (Williamstown—Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development) (13:02): I rise to update the house on a comprehensive plan about the future of Williamstown’s vibrant maritime precinct that is underway with support from the Andrews Labor government. The Williamstown local port area plan will set out priorities for future investment that will help the port continue to be a jewel in the crown for its community and deliver economic and environmental outcomes. This will include ways to address issues and challenges in the area, including access channel sedimentation, the condition of the Seaworks piers and jetty and provision for large vessels. Parks Victoria will soon seek stakeholder and community ideas on the current facilities and future activities they would like to see at Williamstown’s maritime precinct. This early input will help develop a plan that best meets the needs of the existing and future users of the port.

Williamstown is one of the five priority areas receiving a local port area plan through the Victorian government’s Sustainable Local Ports Framework committed to in last year’s budget. This local port area plan builds on the recently finalised Williamstown Maritime Precinct Framework and the Williamstown wave surge study—two complementary reports that provide a clear direction on improving public spaces and enhancing the local economy, with a focus on the area’s maritime history. I would like to thank the Port of Williamstown Action Group, Seaworks and the tireless Geoff Dougall for their continued advocacy in this space.