Seal of approval

RECREATIONAL anglers will soon have better access to fishing facilities in Western Port.
Hastings MP Neale Burgess announced last week that the City of Casey would be provided with $250,000 from the State Government to seal the car park at Tooradin.
Mr Burgess said this funding would be of enormous benefit to the Hastings community.
“We have some magnificent waterways at Western Port which are enjoyed by many locals and attract thousands of tourists every year,” he said.
“In addition to being a popular pastime, recreational boating is also an important local industry that plays a key role in the economy.
“The Victorian Coalition Government believes it is critical to ensure our waterways can be used safely and to support this industry which is so important to Hastings.”
The funding was announced as part of the 2012-’13 round of the Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP).
The dual-lane boat ramp at Tooradin has also been widened to allow the construction of a third lane, in a $292,000 project funded by the 2011-’12 round of BSFP and also Fisheries Victoria.
The ramp works have been led by the Tooradin Foreshore Committee of Management.
Mr Burgess said more lanes would permit faster boat launching and that was something local anglers had been requesting from Fisheries Victoria.
“Other improvements at the boat ramp include new floating pontoons, which have replaced the old timber jetty,” he said.
“These improved boat launching facilities, including new fish cleaning tables, make Tooradin a first-class venue.”