The much anticipated Save Newhaven Jetty parliamentary petition debate is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 February 2025.
The petition calls on the Allan Labor Government to commit to saving the Newhaven Jetty and deliver funding and a timeline for its reopening in consultation with locals.
Leading the debate on behalf of the Bass Coast community, Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, will focus on Labor’s cruel decision to close the jetty and the community’s demand for restoration of this much loved public asset.
“The Allan Government is at fault for failing to maintain the Newhaven Jetty and for denying Parks Victoria funding for the repairs which forced its closure.
“Labor’s do nothing approach has had a gut wrenching social and economic impact.
“Documents obtained by my Freedom of Information investigation reveal the jetty could have remained open with maintenance and was high on internal infrastructure priority list, facts Labor concealed.”
Community members, Ms Bath and Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight, Roma Britnell, are demanding a full engineering assessment be undertaken to determine its structural integrity and load capacity.
“Labor’s forced closure of Newhaven Jetty was shockingly based on a visual engineering inspection only,” said Ms Britnell.
“I have made representation to Labor’s Minister for Ports, calling on her to provide the supporting documentation used to justify its closure and decision to do nothing.
“Newhaven Jetty was closed without consultation, advanced notice, or transparency – the community said it is having a profound impact on businesses, tourism, and locals.
“I am appalled the Allan Government shut it without a future plan, proper assessment of its structural condition or due diligence to ascertain costs to fix it.
“The decision to padlock out the public without accurate evaluation is despicable and a reflection of how dire Labor’s financial mismanagement is.”
Ms Bath said in the upcoming debate Labor will be called on to reverse its decision to abandon the Bass Coast community and barricade locals out of a popular accessible recreational fishing platform.
“Furthermore, the Allan Government must answer why it rejected Parks Victoria funding application for the Newhaven Jetty in 2024 and concealed the jetty’s infrastructure priority status.
“Labor can’t money, can’t manage our public assets and the Bass Coast community is paying the price.”
