Mooring fee fear

Jessica Benton
PORTARLINGTON mussel farmers fear they could suffer a similar fate to their Queenscliff neighbours who believe they are being priced out of a harbour redevelopment.
Mussel farmer Lance Wiffen said careful planning and upgrades were needed to ensure berth users weren’t priced out of the Portarlington Safe Harbour development and to ensure a sustainable future for the local mussel farming industry.
“Yes there are fears that could happen (being priced out) but we also understand we do need major upgrading of the pier at some stage,” he said.
“For the industry to expand to its full potential we’re going to need better mooring facilities and at the moment there’s nowhere for additional commercial boats to moor at the harbour.
At a Queenscliff public meeting last month, harbour users accused the State Government and Parks Victoria of “selling out to a private monopoly at their expense”.
Berth users were angered the $35 million Queenscliff harbour redevelopment could see berth fee increases of up to 800 per cent when the 2011 moratorium expires, as well as leading to higher fuel costs and inadequate facilities.
Mr Wiffen said all affected parties needed to look at the Queenscliff situation to make sure berth users were protected at Portarlington.
“The lessons we’ve learnt from the situation at Queenscliff is the commercial side of things should stay under the direction and management of Parks Victoria,” he said.
Parks Victoria had been “really open and considerate to the local fishing industries,” Mr Wiffen said.
He felt the two parties were “seeing eye to eye” but State Government would make any final decisions
Parks Victoria community consultation facilitator Elaine Carbines said it was “too premature” to discuss harbour costs and fees when the plan was still at draft stage.
“The feedback we’ve received from the community will form the finalisation plan and we’re a long way from any further discussions about the Portarlington harbour with the government, she said.
The draft plan would be referred to the State Government for consideration and approval, Ms Carbines said.