$3.7M for Goolwa Wharf to revitalise tourism hub
Posted June 05, 2020
A $3.7 million Federal contribution towards upgrading Goolwa's wharf precinct will inject much needed funding into this historic tourism attraction, according to local Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie.
"I have been advocating for this $7.5 million project and writing letters of support for Alexandrina Council's grant applications for a number of years now so I am delighted that our community's persistence has finally paid off," Rebekha said.
"The wharf precinct is a historically significant site for South Australia and a popular tourism drawcard and the area has been in urgent need of restoration and upgrading for some time.
"Given that Alexandrina Council has been a Commonwealth drought-declared area and the wider region has been hit hard by the economic impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, investing in this wharf project will bring much-needed economic revitalisation to this regional tourism hub."
The wharf project is being funded under Round 4 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) after missing out in Round 3.
The Victor Harbor Council was the only other successful Mayo applicant under Round 4, securing $20,000 to fund a Festival and Events Strategy and Action Plan aimed at increasing tourist visitation to the seaside town during the winter months.
The two projects were among 163 local infrastructure and community BBRF applications approved nationwide.
"Unfortunately, a BBRF application for a water security project on Kangaroo Island, which included a desalination plant and pipelines, was not successful this round," Rebekha said.
"Having written a letter of support for this $48 million project, I welcome the State Government's recent announcement of $33 million contribution towards a desalination plant on KI and I remain optimistic that the Commonwealth will support this vital infrastructure.
"Kangaroo Island has also been a Commonwealth drought-declared area and with the extra impacts of bushfire and now COVID-19 being felt, having a safe and consistent water supply will boost economic activity and improve bushfire resilience."
