Councillors gathered at the city’s breakwater on Tuesday, and agreed if the cash needed to repair and refurbish the harbour was not forthcoming to the council, the state government should run the port. 

Cr Mike Neoh said he was considering putting forward a notice of motion at an upcoming council meeting.

“We are in a rate-capped environment and the port is a state government asset,” he said. “It is difficult to get funding from the government to maintain their asset to a satisfactory level that is expected by the community.”

Cr Neoh said there was little benefit for the council to manage the harbour.

“We are often referred to grants that require matching council (ratepayer) dollars to maintain a state asset,” he said. “It’s potentially a $20-million renewal.

“It is unfair we are put in a position to upgrade everything. There needs to be some good will from the state government.”

The council has applied for funding for harbour upgrades three times and have been knocked back.

The councillors said the goal posts on application requirements changed each time the council applied.

Cr Sue Cassidy said it was unfair on the ratepayers of Warrnambool.

Cr Tony Herbert said the state government had an influx of money from the sale of the Port of Melbourne,  which could be used for Warrnambool’s own harbour upgrades.

He said there was a shortfall of funding from the state government every year in regards to the port’s upkeep. 

Cr David Owen said the breakwater “was in a terrible condition and in a rate-capped environment it was unfair to expect the council to fund it and keep it going”. 

​While we’ve got you – do you want to make your voice heard before the state election? Here is your chance.