General News
21 February, 2025
$74,000 grant for new gantry
THE three-decade old, and now decommissioned, gantry at the Warrnambool breakwater will soon be replaced thanks to a $74,287 grant from the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA).
Announcing the grant earlier today, Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said he was absolutely thrilled the funding had been approved and, like so many keen fishermen, was eager to see work on the new gantry commence.
“This is great news for everyone involved in this industry, not just locals but those who pull in here and would use this facility.”
Keen fishermen and member of the Warrnambool Offshore and Light Game Fishing Club, Andy Smith, said the VFA grant was welcome news.
“This gantry down at the breakwater really has seen better days; it's been here for, we believe, well over 30 years but it was decommissioned a while ago and is now fenced off,” Mr Smith said.
“As you can see, it’s well rusted, so we’re all looking forward to having a new one stand in its place and being able to lift and weigh big catches.”
The Warrnambool club currently has around 220 members, with some coming from as far as Melbourne and Geelong.
Mr Smith believes the design of the new gantry will be similar to that currently in Portland.
“In consultation with our club members, local company PM Design Group has completed the design and plans, and now that funding has come through we’re just waiting on the arrival of materials and work can soon commence.
“We don’t have a timeline as yet but this (the grant approval) is a great step forward and we can’t wait to see the new gantry up and running.”
