Osborne announces $8M in Budget 2025 to build new Petty Harbour breakwater

Reg Best, the Harbour Authority President for Petty Harbour, says it was a great day for his community.

Best stood next to Cape Spear MP Tom Osborne when he announced that $8 million has been set aside in the federal budget to go towards building a new breakwater.

“I've been a member of the Harbour Authority for the past 25 years … and it's the best thing that's ever happened to us,” said Best.

The harbour’s current breakwater was built in 1966 and, according to Osborne, has sustained a lot of damage over the years.

“This wharf is probably two or three storms away from being wiped out,” said Osborne.

Osborne says the investment will not only protect the harbour’s physical infrastructure, but also the community that surrounds it.

“By investing in this infrastructure, our government is helping to preserve that legacy and support the livelihoods that depend on it,” he said.

Best says the Harbour Authority has been working on getting a new breakwater for over 20 years, so he was "ecstatic" when he learned of the investment.

“[It’s a] fantastic day and we're looking forward to getting work started,” said Best.

Best says a feasibility study has already been completed and has meetings planned to discuss next steps. Now he just has to wait to see if the budget is passed.

In the meantime, Best says it’s not just fisheries that will benefit from a new breakwater, but also other industries developing around the waterfront that attract tourism.

“[The] fishing industry is still very strong here and hopefully it'll remain that way,” said Best.

Best says Petty Harbour sustains a lot of punishment from the ocean, making the breakwater all the more important.

“With climate change and the rising tides, rising ocean levels and with the storms increasing dramatically and more severely, they are absolutely essential,” said Best. “If not for the breakwater… homes, businesses, everything in low lying areas will be destroyed.”