PHILLIP Island is maintaining its rage over the closure of Newhaven jetty 12 months ago.
Coming together for the first anniversary of the closure of the jetty local residents called on the Allan Government to repair and reopen the Newhaven Jetty without delay.
Nationals MP Melina Bath said locals are frustrated over a lack of a positive response from the State Government and remain resolute in their demand for better collaboration on a way forward.
“I stand with residents who are calling for funding and a timeline for this much-loved asset,” said Ms Bath.
“It is highly disappointing that despite a strong campaign the community is still being kept in the dark.”
Political pressure resulted in an engineering inspection according to local residents but to date there still been no word on the jetty’s future.
Ben Dennis owner of Saltwater restaurant estimates the closure of the jetty could have cost him as much as half a million dollars in lost passing trade.
Ms Bath used the first anniversary of the jetty’s closure to renew her calls for action.
“Leaving the Newhaven Jetty to disintegrate behind mesh fencing is unacceptable.
“Bass Coast locals deserve to know that they won’t be back here standing in front of a locked barrier again in another year’s time, commiserating a second year of closure.
“Recent structure inspections must lead to a pathway for funding and reconstruction.”
Yvonne Lynch recalled watching the joy of two boys catching a snapper on the jetty just before it closed, only to come back fishing rods in hand the next week locked out of the jetty with wire mesh and padlocks.
“Fishing is great for kids,” said Ms Lynch.
Another resident remembering the jetty as a boy wondered about the notion of heritage.
“There’s still plenty of fish out there just look at the cormorants and seals.”
“Fishing is part of who we are as humans,” said Mr Grivas.
Ms Lynch remembered moonlight reflecting off the water from the pier at night.
“When you come over the bridge now it looks like a junkyard.”
Amanda Keilar said twelve months later the community are still locked out.
Divers did an inspection of the jetty according to Ms Keilar and a costing has been done but no costs or information have been made public.
Ms Keilar suggested it might be a lot less than they thought.
“The jetty is still closed with no concrete decision on whether it can be repaired.”
Melina Bath said the rally in June last year led to a petition and a debate in parliament.
“This has been a State Government asset that was left to decline, and they did nothing about it,” said Ms Bath.
“It was on Parks Victoria’s list for some time before its closure.”
Estimates for repairing the jetty have jumped from hundreds of thousands of dollars to $1 million, $2 million and $3 million dollars according to Ms Bath.
“That’s not fair,” she said.
“This needs to go back on their priority list.”
Nearby Newhaven boat ramp is on the list for improvement but with no starting date.
Ms Keilar said they are not going to sit down and watch the jetty fall into the ocean.
“It could take a lot of pressure off San Remo’s jetty and rock fishing,” said Ms Bath.
Long-time commercial fisherman George Papas said Newhaven is one of the busiest tourist destinations in Victoria.
“It’s a staple of this community. It’s the first thing you see when you come over the bridge.”
Ilias Grivas said it symbolises neglect.
“I congratulate residents on their commitment to saving the Newhaven Jetty and will remain standing with them,” said Ms Bath.
“This should be part of a timetable of upgrades.
“We do not want to see a second anniversary, this much loved community asset needs to be opened and upgraded by next year, we’re looking for a pathway forward.”
Ben Dennis took the opportunity to thank the jetty’s supporters.
“It shows there are people who care.”
Wolfgang Paltzer from the San Remo Fisherman’s Co-operative said he was worried about the precedent it sets.
“What’s next?” he asked.
“Which jetty is the next one to be closed because ‘we didn’t want to keep them maintained’.”
Cutting a symbolic birthday cake Melina Bath said it was an unhappy birthday cake.
“It’s no good at all.”
Mr Dennis said the closure of the jetty had significantly impacted the wedding trade at Saltwater.
Critical of a lack of support from Bass Coast Council Mr Dennis said he had received no rent relief from Bass Coast Shire despite the loss of business.
