G'day,

In October 2006, just prior to the State election, the then Tourism Minister, John Pandazopoulas, announced that Victoria has won an interstate bid to secure the ex HMAS Canberra warship, as an artificial reef and dive attraction.

The Victorian Government had allocated $500,000 for the project and the Federal Government would contribute $2.8 million in funding toward the costs of sinking.

To quote the minister, "It's full steam ahead for the ex HMAS Canberra, which will arrive at its home next month and be sunk in April 2007."

Well near the end of April 2007, it would seem the Bracks Government is totally out of steam with this important regional tourism project.

The government hasn't signed the deed of gift and taken possession of the warship. The ex HMAS Canberra still lies at anchor at the Stirling Naval Base in Rockingham, Western Australia.

It would seem that the Bracks Government has sunk the project, not the warship.

The Victorian Artificial Reef Society (VARS), the dive community group behind the push to secure, prepare and sink the HMAS Canberra in Victoria, established a web site at www.hmascanberra.com.au to track the progress of the project, plus promote temperate water diving in Victoria.

However, the progress reports indicate nothing but delays and inaction on the part of the Bracks Government.

You have to start wondering if the Bracks Government is ever going to make good on its promise and sink the HMAS Canberra in Victoria?

Indeed, even if the HMAS Canberra project does go ahead, it seems the NSW Government might manage to sink the HMAS Adelaide before the Victorian Government manages to sink the HMAS Canberra. Embarrasment!

Best Regards, Lloyd Borrett.

Totally agree Lloyd. Just one quick question though. I'm reading this comment at 6.17pm Mon 23rd April, but you posted it at 6.27pm ( ie/ in 10 mins time- how dis you do that? or am I having a bad sacid trip?)

The Shadow

I posted it at 5:27pm which is the time the system is giving me I posted it at.

I suspect you're getting a different value because your time zone and daylight saving settings in your profile is wrong. You might want to check that.