Work on Port Fairy’s $2.4 million wharf development has begun.
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Fairbrother won the tender to complete the construction at King George Square and began initial ground works last week.
The development will feature a fish and chip shop at the northern end and a restaurant to the south, with a combined total of 230 seats including 56 on outside deckings.
Works are due to be completed toward the end of 2017 and a Moyne Shire spokesperson said the new building would be open in time for summer.
Moyne Shire chief executive David Madden said it was an exciting development for the shire and regional Victoria.
“We know tourists like to have seafood meals next to the water,” Mr Madden said.
“We’re happy to see work get underway before Christmas and know the contractors are hoping to be out of the ground by the Christmas break which means they’re unlikely to suffer delays.”
Moyne Shire major Jim Doukas said the works would beautify and boost the wharf area.
“The contractors are good, they’ve done work for us before,” Cr Doukas said.
“We’ve got an understanding that they will use local contractors and subbies, as part of discussions they’ve said local tradies will get a go and they’ll use as many as possible.”
Cr Doukas expects the building to be open 12 months of the year.
He said Port Fairy was a popular destination and the new building’s operating times would reflect the town’s increased tourist numbers.
“The vision it will be open seven days-a-week, all year round,” Cr Doukas said.
“We’re just building the building at the moment. We haven’t begun work on the terms of the leases yet.
“It’s going to be good for everybody.
“It’s going to be good for the tourists. The development will be good for Port Fairy and district all year round.”
The project is being funded by the federal government ($1.4 million) and the port board ($1 million).
