Federal bribe will do nothing for long-term future of Busselton jetty or town

7/11/07
The Howard Government's 11th hour bid to gain kudos over the Busselton jetty was nothing short of a pathetic bribe, South-West Minister Mark McGowan said today.
Mr McGowan said the $6million committed by the Commonwealth came with unworkable strings attached and without a long-term strategy for the jetty's maintenance.
"The Howard Government has had months to provide a commitment to the jetty," he said.
"Two weeks before the election they suddenly come out with an offer that will effectively burden Busselton's ratepayers with an ongoing financial liability.
"The State Government's plan includes a $50million public investment in the jetty and improved local infrastructure, as well as providing an ongoing funding source for the long-term maintenance of the jetty.
"It will also include tens of millions of dollars of private sector investment into Busselton, creating jobs and opportunities for locals.
"What the Howard Government is offering is a quick fix, with no plans for the long-term maintenance of the jetty, no plans for future tourism development and no plans for jobs in the area. You may as well pour the $6million into Geographe Bay.
"The jetty can only be saved if there is a long-term plan for maintenance, not a short-term rebuild, leaving the problem for future generations of ratepayers.
"It smacks of desperate political opportunism and the State will not be supporting it."
The Minister said the State Government's plan was supported by the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"Our plan will massively enhance the tired, dilapidated and under-utilised Busselton foreshore," he said.
"Today's announcement shows the Howard Government is anti-tourism, anti-public and private sector investment and anti-jobs for Busselton.
"The State Government's offer remains open to the Busselton Shire Council on the basis of the well thought-out, long-term solution to the issues of the Busselton Jetty.
"Not based on the desperate, ad-hoc, election eve ploy of the Howard Government."
Minister's office: 9222 9111