Akey piece of the multi-million-dollar transformation of the Portland Foreshore is now ‘christened’.

Last week Victorian Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing officially opened the Portland Foreshore Connecting Paths project to the public.

Minister Shing was joined onsite by Glenelg Shire Deputy Mayor Scott Martin and dignitaries this morning to open the Connecting Paths to locals and visitors alike.

The project has seen the extension of the current accessible pathways from the Youth Activity and Skate Space, right through to the Nun’s Beach precinct.

It has also seen the construction of new over-water boardwalks at the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre and Town Jetty, creating a whole new experience for users of all abilities visiting the Foreshore area.

Cr Martin said it was an exciting milestone for the Glenelg Shire, with benefits of the project already being felt.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Hon. Minister Shing to Portland today to officially open these key pieces of community infrastructure,” he said.

“With the pathways and over-water boardwalks now complete, it is with great pride that we can offer a fully integrated and accessible foreshore precinct for all to utilise and enjoy.

“It has been wonderful to see so many families and visitors already making the most of the concrete pathways which were finished earlier this year – we now see the Foreshore regularly alive with bikes, scooters and wheelchairs.

“The recent completion of the over-water boardwalks will complement the existing pathways and provide a unique advantage for our region, and further cement Portland’s status as a regional tourism destination of choice.

“We look forward to seeing our Foreshore well-utilised, with opportunities for people of all-abilities, ahead of the peak summer visitation period.”

The Portland Foreshore Connecting Paths project is funded through the Victorian Government’s Building Works Program and the Glenelg Shire Council.