Throwing in a $6 million line to catch Western Port fishers

LOCAL Liberal and National Party candidates at the November 28 state election were hoping to catch the votes of fishers and boaties in the electorate of Bass when they visited some popular local fishing haunts on Tuesday, October 27.

Forget your pilchards, yakka chunks and squid baits though, they came brandishing a much more enticing lure, that of a promise to invest $5.95 million to repair and reopen the Corinella Jetty, improve boating safety at Lang Lang and deliver a permanent clubhouse for the Corinella Boating and Angling Club.

Visiting Corinella on Tuesday, October 17, Shadow Minister for Outdoor Recreation Melina Bath, the Member for Eastern Victoria, said the commitment would restore access to popular fishing facilities, make boating safer and back the local volunteers who have spent years fighting for a place to call home.

The investment includes:

• $5.5 million to repair and reopen Corinella Jetty and address lighting, boat launching and safety concerns at Lang Lang Jetty.
• $450,000 to deliver a permanent clubhouse for the Corinella Boating and Angling Club.

In January 2025, said Ms Bath, the Labor Government partially closed Corinella Jetty, fencing off large sections of the popular fishing platform and leaving locals without full access to a much-loved community asset.

Dedicated volunteers have spent years fundraising and advocating for a permanent clubhouse to support club activities, community events and popular 'come and try' fishing days, now it will be delivered, if the Coalition wins the election on November 28.

“The Corinella Boating and Angling Club has served the Bass Coast community for more than 44 years promoting recreational fishing, it boasts over 120 active members,” said Ms Bath.

"Local volunteers have spent years doing the hard work. The Liberals and Nationals will back them with the clubhouse and facilities they deserve and get on with fixing the jetty and reopening it after Labor left locals staring at a fence.

"Families shouldn't have to miss out on a day fishing because Labor can't maintain the facilities they rely on.

"At a time when family budgets are under pressure, affordable outdoor activities like fishing matter more than ever.

"Community facilities like Corinella Jetty should be safe, accessible and properly maintained.”

Liberal candidate for Bass Rochelle Halstead said the investment would deliver practical improvements for local families, fishers, boaters and small businesses.

"People across Bass Coast are sick of seeing basic community infrastructure neglected while Labor wastes billions elsewhere," Ms Halstead said.

"Our local fishing and boating clubs are the backbone of the Bass community. They bring families together, support local businesses and give young people the chance to get outdoors.

"After years of fundraising and hard work, the Corinella Boating and Angling Club deserves a permanent home.

"Local families deserve safe jetties, working boat ramps and facilities they can rely on.

"That's what a government that works should deliver. The Liberals and Nationals will get the basics right and put local communities first."