Liberals coast to marine policy

THE Liberal Party has committed millions of dollars to protect Victoria’s coasts and coastal waterways, including Western Port, from climate change, pollution and over-development.
Announcing the policy in Point Lonsdale on Tuesday, Opposition leader Ted Baillieu said the policy included a four-year plan to secure the health of the state’s marine environments.
Part of the funding would go to cleaning up coastal stormwater, with $200,000 a year to investigate utilisation of coastal stormwater for the watering of parks and gardens, and $1 million a year to install sediment and nutrient traps on coastal waterways.
Another $400,000 a year would go to coordinating marine education facilities at Queenscliff and Point Nepean.
“Victoria is lucky enough to have some of the most spectacular coastlines in the world and we need to protect and treasure these environments so all Victorians can continue to enjoy them in the future,” Mr Baillieu said.
“There are a number of threats to our beaches and our marine life, so we need to educate our communities and lay the management foundations and future frameworks to retain the true character of our coasts.”
Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Luke Martin said the announcements were great promises for the Western Port area.
“They will all improve the cleanliness, appearance and tourist value of that region,” he said.
“They are forward-looking because they anticipate the massive population growth as the urban sprawl continues, but also seek to safeguard our environment, which has been badly neglected under seven years of Labor government.”
The Liberal Party has also promised to upgrade the Eastern Treatment Plant at Carrum Downs, which Mr Martin said would stimulate the local economy, as well as provide excellent recycled class-A water.