Wet weather could not dampen the spirits of the crowd that gathered in Lakes Entrance on Wednesday 17 July for the official opening of the Old Slipway redevelopment.

Artists, businesses, and community members joined East Gippsland Shire Council and local Members of Parliament – Tom McIntosh, Darren Chester and Tim Bull – to celebrate the collaborative effort to develop a unique offering at what was a once working slipway (1948 to 2005) and underutilised area since.

The project, delivered largely by Council’s in-house team, included installing a tiered deck over the existing slipway, renovating historic winch sheds, constructing public access amenities, resurfacing the bitumen hardstand area, and upgrading onsite power. These improvements create a versatile outdoor market and events area, with the refurbished winch sheds becoming spaces for local artistic endeavours.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said the project highlights the strong partnership between all levels of government.

“Our work supports investment, recovery, resilience, and growth. Through our 10-year Economic Development Strategy, we foster innovation and economic sustainability, as we are seeing here at the Slipway. This project is also an example of how to create a thriving economy through collaboration between community, government, and business stakeholders,” Cr Crook said.

"This redevelopment was a priority action in the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Management Plan 2012 and reinvigorates a key piece of infrastructure. It provides a public asset for the next 20 to 30 years; an inviting public open space in an idyllic waterfront location that enhances our community and attracts visitors.”

The Slipway Collective, a group of local arts and business representatives, played a vital role in the design and activation proposal for the site, envisioning art exhibits, workshops, and food truck events.

Operating at the site since summer, the Slipway Collective offerings have added opportunities for hospitality and arts enterprises to attract visitors, but also connect local community groups, friends, and families through events, such as the recent East Gippsland Winter Festival.

The official opening speeches from Mayor Tom Crook, Member for Eastern Region Tom McIntosh, and Slipway Collective representatives Sallie Jones (Gippsland Jersey) and members of FLOAT.

The $1,327,000 project was funded by a grant from the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 3 ($400,000), a Victorian Government Local Economic Recovery Program and Creative Victoria grant ($852,000), and Council ($75,000).