Paynesville's Slip Road Maritime Precinct is moving into its final construction phase, with East Gippsland Shire Council confirming major marine works are well advanced after some early challenges.
The precinct upgrade has been driven by increasing demand for additional berthing in Paynesville and across the Gippsland Lakes - one of Australia's premier boating destinations.
It will deliver modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that support recreational boating and the local marine industry - key economic drivers for Paynesville and the broader region. Since construction began, the site has undergone a significant transformation. A concrete panel seawall now defines the new footprint, with recent progress marking a shift toward completion of the core marine infrastructure.
Current works include:
- Marina Jetty 2 nearing completion, with Jetty 3 in offsite prefabrication and installation set to begin within two weeks
- Boat ramp construction is underway
- Service Jetty prefabrication almost finished, with installation scheduled to commence in March
- Northern seawall section completed
- Underground services to be finalised this month
Once marine works are complete, the project will move into the final civil works and landscape phase, including kerbing, landscaping and asphalting the car park. The finished precinct will also feature a grassed recreation area alongside the new boardwalk and jetties, creating a welcoming waterfront space for the community and visitors.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the project is now entering an exciting and visible stage.
"While the project has had its challenges - both in the timeframe and costs - people can now clearly see the precinct taking shape. The jetties, ramp and seawall are defining the space," Cr Ashworth said.
"This project is about delivering a long-lasting, high-quality maritime precinct that supports tourism, strengthens local businesses and meets the needs of our boating community well into the future. It has been a challenging project, and it has taken longer than the community anticipated. We redesigned some elements to ensure that the project delivers lasting benefits.
"We continue to work closely with contractors, government agencies, Gippsland Ports, local businesses and the community as construction progresses."
The Slip Road Maritime Precinct upgrade is funded by the Australian Government, Victorian Government and East Gippsland Shire Council, and is guided by the Paynesville Maritime Precinct Masterplan.
Further updates will be shared via Council's YourSay East Gippsland page and community channels. Council will release information on the new berths in the coming months.
