Lakes Entrance - Slipway Redevelopment
This project is now complete.
The Slipway is a 5,400 square metre Crown land site in the centre of the Lakes Entrance township fronting directly onto the Cunninghame Arm waterway. The site operated as a slipway from 1948 through to 2005, when operations were transferred to a new Bullock Island Boat Yard facility. It has remained largely unused for the past 15 years.
Redevelopment of the Slipway site was identified as a priority action in the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Management Plan 2012 and the more recent Lakes Entrance CBD Masterplan. It was noted as being a high-profile site that has potential to accommodate a range of attractions, facilities and services.
Project Scope
This project included the design and redevelopment of the iconic Slipway site located on the Esplanade in Lakes Entrance. The redevelopment has reinvigorated a key piece of infrastructure and deliver a public asset for the next 20 to 30 years and enhanced the visitor experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer and return. The Slipway site has become an inviting public open space in an idyllic waterfront location, providing space for hospitality and arts enterprises, and local community groups and friends and family to gather.
The redevelopment works were limited to the following items:
- Installation of a tiered deck over the existing concrete slipway to create a waterfront public space.
- Minor renovation of the two historic winch sheds to enable safe public use.
- Construction of public access amenities including compliant ramps.
- Resurfacing of the existing bitumen hardstand area.
- Upgrade of onsite power.
The concept for this redevelopment was included in and approved through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process advertised nationally in 2018 by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The successful proponents of the EOI were “The Slipway Collective” – a working group of local arts and business representatives. The design of the redevelopment is in-keeping with the Slipway Collective’s activation proposal for the site.
The Concept Design for the site is available in the documents section.
Funding
Funding for this project was provided by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts - Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program Phase 3, Victorian Government Local Economic Recovery (LER) Program – Bushfire Recovery Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Grants Fund, Creative Victoria, and COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund, and East Gippsland Shire Council.
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Media Releases -
This project is now complete.
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17 July 2024 - official opening celebration
Share 17 July 2024 - official opening celebration on Facebook Share 17 July 2024 - official opening celebration on Twitter Share 17 July 2024 - official opening celebration on Linkedin Email 17 July 2024 - official opening celebration linkWe are thrilled to announce that the Old Slipway @ Lakes Entrance is now officially open!
The Slipway, with its strong arts and cultural heritage potential, is now an inviting public open space in a beautiful waterfront location. An official opening celebration was held on 17 July 2024 and was well-attended despite the chilly wet weather.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Slipway Collective!!
Speeches by representatives of the Slipway Collective highlighted their significant and personal connections to the site and the importance of the redevelopment to the community in providing a welcome space where people can come together in social and artistic activities.
The transformation of the winch sheds into an arts and social space delivers multifaceted benefits to the community. From fostering social connections and cultural enrichment to driving economic growth through tourism and local enterprise, the redevelopment aligns with immediate wellbeing goals and long-term prosperity objectives. This initiative has revitalised this significant piece of our local maritime history and further positions Lakes Entrance as an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.
A special thanks to Tom McIntosh MP, Darren Chester MP, Tim Bull MP, Mayor Cr Tom Crook, Deputy Mayor Cr Jane Greacen, and Cr Mendy Urie for attending and dedicating this beautiful slipway to our community.
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2 January 2024 - Slipway Collective operational
Share 2 January 2024 - Slipway Collective operational on Facebook Share 2 January 2024 - Slipway Collective operational on Twitter Share 2 January 2024 - Slipway Collective operational on Linkedin Email 2 January 2024 - Slipway Collective operational linkSlipway Now Open!
The Slipway Collective have taken possession of the site and commenced trading, with multiple businesses now serving delicious foods and drinks, and selling locally made items.
The Lakes Entrance Slipway is the perfect place to grab some amazing food and sit on the beautiful new deck and enjoy the water views.
CLICK HERE to view what is on offer at the Slipway.
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21 December 2023
Share 21 December 2023 on Facebook Share 21 December 2023 on Twitter Share 21 December 2023 on Linkedin Email 21 December 2023 linkThe Old Slipway at Lakes Entrance is finished, and the Slipway Collective has its permits to start setting up.
We are excited to advise the works at the old Slipway at Lakes Entrance are finished and the Slipway Collective has its permits to start setting up the pop-up dining precinct in time to operate over the busy summer season.
The Slipway Collective is a partnership of local businesses who were the successful applicant of an open expression of interest in 2018 to manage and activate this unique foreshore site on the Lakes Entrance waterfront. The use of the site was envisaged to be a mix of commercial and public space to encourage use of the site both commercially and by the public.
Completion of this project has provided a versatile outdoor market and events area with funky shipping container stores and food outlets, and the refurbished winch sheds will soon become a hub for local artistic endeavour.
This redevelopment has reinvigorated a key piece of infrastructure and delivered a public asset for the entire East Gippsland community; Lakes Entrance is an iconic destination with a ‘pull through’ impact on other towns enroute to Lakes Entrance and attracts over 500,000 visitors annually with approximately 30% of the local economy linked to and reliant on tourism.
The pop-up nature of future activities on the site will create many opportunities for longer-term and sustainable community and enterprise jobs and initiatives that link the region to its proud history and resilience after diversity. This resilience and determination will strengthen our region’s ability to deal with and rise above future challenges.
Other parts of the site will also be available for broader hire and use for special events and will be open to the public when not being used for a special event.
Council is proud to deliver this project for the East Gippsland community within budget and in time to accommodate the busy tourist season.
In conjunction with our funding partners, the Slipway Collective, and LEADA we will hold a celebration in early 2024 to officially open the site.
Funding for this project was provided by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts - Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program Phase 3; Victorian Government Local Economic Recovery (LER) Program – Bushfire Recovery Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Grants Fund, Creative Victoria, and COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund; and East Gippsland Shire Council.
We ask skaters not to ride on the deck.
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Project Update - 19 December 2023
Share Project Update - 19 December 2023 on Facebook Share Project Update - 19 December 2023 on Twitter Share Project Update - 19 December 2023 on Linkedin Email Project Update - 19 December 2023 linkThis morning we handed over the shed keys to the Slipway Collective.
The sheds will be utilised as an inviting art space and gallery, creating a unique destination for promoting local artists and providing a platform for creative expression and supporting the growth of the Lakes Entrance arts scene.
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Project Update - 12 December 2023
Share Project Update - 12 December 2023 on Facebook Share Project Update - 12 December 2023 on Twitter Share Project Update - 12 December 2023 on Linkedin Email Project Update - 12 December 2023 linkThe civil works, including drainage and concreting the food van area are now complete.
The site is almost ready to open to the public and is looking a treat. We have received our necessary approvals to open the site to the public and we are currently working closely with local community groups for the site to be actively used over summer.
There is still some balustrade works around the decking area to be completed. We are also finalising the painting and will be replacing a roller door; but these works can be undertaken once the site is open and won't delay opening the site.
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Project Update - 28 August 2023
Share Project Update - 28 August 2023 on Facebook Share Project Update - 28 August 2023 on Twitter Share Project Update - 28 August 2023 on Linkedin Email Project Update - 28 August 2023 linkWorks at the Lakes Entrance Slipway are progressing well.
The works include the construction of a lower-level platform with fibreglass micromesh decking, as well as tiered decking constructed with spotted gum timber. Balustrading is being erected around the perimeter and around each deck.
4.1 lineal kilometres of timber decking has been installed, fixed with approximately 21,000 screws!
Other works completed to date include construction of lighting footings and the refurbishment of the existing winch sheds. Asphalting is scheduled for commencement in a couple of weeks, with landscaping to follow.
This project is at currently at 80% completion, and we anticipate being finished within a couple of months.
Council is proud to deliver this project for the East Gippsland community within budget. The completed project will provide a versatile outdoor market and events area, and the refurbished winch sheds will become places of local artistic endeavour.
Who's Listening
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Phone +61351539500 Email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
