Yesterday I visited the Mends Street foreshore with Environment Minister Albert Jacob to announce a State Budget allocation of $500,000 to the City of South Perth towards the cost of repairing damaged river walls.

This takes the government’s contribution to $1 million as part of a 2013 election commitment to provide $1.35 million for the project.

This is great news not only for the people of South Perth but for the thousands who use the foreshore on a regular basis. It addresses a serious safety issue created by the damaged walls and, when completed, will compliment the work being done across the river at Elizabeth Quay.

I commend Minister Jacob for making sure that the project was not ignored. I am hopeful that the remaining $350,000 will become available in the 2015-16 budget.

In the meantime the City of South Perth, which has set aside $2 million for the foreshore improvements, will be able to get on with the job of replacing the 50-year-old river walls in time for Australia Day next year.