PORT KEMBLA SMALL BOAT HARBOUR
Mr SULLIVAN (Wollongong) [5.36 p.m.]: I congratulate the State Labor Government on the improvements it is making to the electorate of Wollongong. In particular, I thank the Minister for Ports and the Minister for Emergency Services. A recreational and small boat harbour is to be constructed in the outer harbour of Port Kembla. The eastern breakwater, which goes in a north-south direction, will form one wall of this new harbour. On the western side the existing breakwater will be straightened and added to, and will go in a north-east direction heading off from the No. 4 jetty. It will turn at a right angle and head east. Some distance south of that will be a small breakwater wall that will go in an east-west direction. This boat harbour will be cut off from the north-east swells that make the temporary boat harbour dangerous when strong north-easterly winds are blowing. Many people have expressed the need for this project over the years, particularly recreational boat users and those with small boats.
Tying up points are leased around the small boat harbour but they are unsatisfactory and of a primitive nature. People who lease mooring points install their own rickety and makeshift jetties so they can get to their boats - they will not spend money to build a solid jetty that they may not be able to use if their lease is not renewed. The new facility will comprise 19 small boat berths, with associated permanent jetty facilities, along the western breakwater of the small boat harbour. At the southern end there will be three trailer boat launch facilities for the trailer recreational boat users. South of that will be an extensive car parking and boat trailer parking area. This project will require the relocation of the Port Kembla Port Corporation maintenance depot and the staff training facility, a demountable building that will be easily relocated.
The new inner breakwater on the western side and the new entry will deflect the surges that comes from the north-easterly winds. This will be the only boat launching facility in central Wollongong. There is one at Bellambi, to the north; there is one at Shellharbour; and there will be one at Shell Cove. The boat harbour will cost $1.5 million. A new fire station to be built at the corner of Green and King streets, Warrawong, will replace the Port Kembla fire station. That fire station will have staff accommodation, administrative facilities, fire appliance storage areas, rear yard access and wash down facilities, and will cost $1.1 million. The old Port Kembla station is inadequate and primitive, and firefighting crews have temporarily relocated near the outer harbour. When construction of the new fire station is completed later this year they will have state-of-the-art facilities. I congratulate both Ministers and the State Labor Government. [Time expired.]