Dive operators praise $9m rescue package

Alex de Vos
A $9.2 million rescue package was “fantastic news” for the region’s struggling diving businesses, operators said yesterday.
State Government announced the funding to help charter diving operators overcome business lost during controversial dredging of Port Phillip Bay shipping channels.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the package included funding for “boating infrastructure improvements, beach nourishment, tourism marketing, small business education and bay businesses”.
“Some business around the bay may have incurred temporary adjustments to their business due to the channel deepening project,” Mr Pallas said.
“This package is recognition of how important these businesses are to the unique environment of Port Phillip Bay and to the Victorian tourism industry and our economy.”
Jason Salter, the manager of Queenscliff’s Dive Victoria, praised the announcement.
“It’s fantastic news,” Mr Salter said.
“At least the Government is now willing to accept that the dredging has had an effect on the users of the bay and we certainly welcome the assistance to get through the project.
“It’s also good to see they (State Government) have voluntarily done something about it rather than waiting for us to take them to court and sue them.”
Geelong Otway Tourism executive director Roger Grant “congratulated” the announcement.
“Geelong Otway Tourism has worked though Tourism Alliance Victoria to lobby the Government for support over the last 12 months,” Mr Grant said.
“The bay is major asset and attraction and the Government is to be congratulated on this important announcement, which brings new opportunities to operators.”
The dredging project began earlier this year following a lengthy court battle with objectors.
The court allowed Port of Melbourne Corporation to dredge one million cubic metres in an eight-kilometre stretch of the southern channel off the tip of the Bellarine Peninsula.
The corporation had wanted to start dredging at the northern end of the bay where protesters feared the project would dislodge toxic sediment.