The Australian Government will provide $27 million to the Point Nepean Community Trust to restore and protect the area’s important heritage values and assist in the completion of the National Centre for Marine and Coastal Conservation.
The announcement was made today by the Treasurer and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Heritage and Member for Flinders, Greg Hunt.
Point Nepean, situated at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, is one of Australia’s most spectacular tourist destinations and is renowned for its historic military base, outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay.
Today’s announcement of $27 million for heritage restoration, marine education and respite brings the total Commonwealth commitment to Point Nepean to $48 million.
The Trust manages the Commonwealth-owned former quarantine and defence facilities. This funding, in partnership with the Trust, will help conserve and protect Point Nepean for future generations.
The funding will enable the Trust to adapt the existing Quarantine and Norris Barracks buildings to establish a National Centre for Marine and Coastal Conservation. The buildings will also be used by heritage and community groups and for respite care for children with terminal conditions or other disadvantage.
The National Centre for Marine and Coastal Conservation, administered by the Australian Maritime College, will move to Point Nepean once the heritage restorations are completed. It is envisaged that the Centre will attract international researchers, tertiary students and school students, and would become a permanent base for environmental research. It is expected that the Centre will help create a world-class centre for marine research.
The funding will also assist a range of projects, including conservation of Point Nepean’s natural, historic and Indigenous heritage values; restoration of the heritage precinct including water and infrastructure; completion of public access to the site; and interpretive displays and signage.
The Australian Government is working closely with the Trust and the State Government in preparation for transfer of the Barracks site and surrounds to Victoria for inclusion in the Point Nepean National Park by mid 2009.