Redevelopment of the Goughs Bay Boat Club

Published on 30 September 2022

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The Goughs Bay Boat Sport and Recreation Club is set for a $2 million redevelopment to transform the lakeside bistro, dining and function areas to provide a year-round, high quality visitor experience.

The proposed expansion will provide a multipurpose facility for visitor and community use with the ability to cater for activities and programs, and as a relief centre during bushfires and other emergencies.

The project will include a modern architecturally designed renovation, a new commercial kitchen, significantly expanded bistro seating and capacity, plus new deck areas. The carpark will also be improved as will access to the boat ramp and approaches to the clubhouse from the shoreline.

Located directly on Lake Eildon with stunning views, Mayor Cr James Tehan said it is anticipated the upgraded venue will increase both local and interstate visitation to the area and will create new jobs for locals.

“As well as providing a much-needed community meeting place, the project will deliver on the Lake Eildon Masterplan objectives and improve access and experiences for visitors to the lake, grow jobs and increase visitation to the area,” said Cr Tehan.

“We’ve been fortunate to partner with the Goughs Bay Boat Sport and Recreation Club (GBBSRC), Goughs Bay Progress Association (GBPA) and the Community Bank Mansfield & District. This is an important step in realising the priorities in the Lake Eildon Masterplan and I’m pleased to see that our advocacy efforts have resulted in the funding being provided to develop what I’m sure will be a very exciting project to be enjoyed by the Goughs Bay and wider community.”

The project will be funded by a $1,515,750 grant from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions via the Regional Tourism Investment Fund, a $445,250 Boat Club contribution, as well as a generous $60,000 donation from the Mansfield and District Community Bank.

David Mayne, Community Bank Mansfield & District’s Chairman of the Board explained the inspiration for their support.

“Following the devasting bushfires in 2020, it became apparent that our community lacked sufficient emergency relief centres for bushfires and other disasters around the surrounding Lake District,” he said.

“The redevelopment of this existing community asset into a community multipurpose facility will not only help to fill that gap, but also provide a venue to host community events like school holiday programs, physical fitness activities, playgroups and Maternal and Child Health programs.”

Commodore of the GBBSRC, Craig Johnson, said they were delighted to receive the news that the grant had been approved.

“This will benefit our members and the wider community immensely and we look forward to the start and completion of this project,” he said.

“We would like to thank the Mansfield Shire Council for their outstanding efforts in getting this over the line, as well as the Goughs Bay Progress Association and the generous support of the Community Bank.”

Des Haberman, Vice President of the GBPA, said that the community was excited to see the project funding which will provide the solution to efforts to establish a community hub.

“The GBPA welcomed the generosity of the Community Bank to assist in providing facilities for the Hub,” he said.

Design works are underway with the exciting redevelopment planned for completion in May 2024.

Image: Stakeholders L-R: Wayne Trethowan, Clare Ridler, Mansfield Shire Council CEO Kirsten Alexander, Des Haberman, Monica Schnell, Liz Vrancre, Craig Johnson, Jon Gifford, Judy Campbell, Caroline Trenfield, Isadora Tirtowaluji, Mansfield Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Mark Holcombe, Colin Belmore, Steve Munro, and Shane O’Conner. 

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