June 2, 2022
Photo sourced from Boating Vic website.
Access to a number of Victorian boat ramps and jetties is set to be improved as the recipients of the 2021-2022 Recreational Boating Structural Maintenance Grants Program have just been announced by Better Boating Victoria.
The program called for applications from boat ramp and asset managers in February this year. The funding allows eligible organisations to ensure public boating facilities remain accessible and safe for Victorians launching and retrieving their vessels.
To improve boating facilities across the state, the program allocates funding to asset managers to undertake significant structural maintenance at publicly accessible boating facilities. This included projects such as upgrading ramp surfaces, improving access and replacing pontoons.
The following projects were funded by the program:
METUNG | SHAVING POINT BOAT RAMP
The East Gippsland Shire Council received $577,000 to fully redevelop the boating facilities at the Shaving Point boat ramp. The upgrades will see the replacement of the existing dual-lane concrete ramp, jetties and floating pontoons. Works will also be undertaken to reduce sand build-up at the ramp.
ECHUCA | VICTORIA PARK BOAT RAMP
The Campaspe Shire Council received more than $270,000 to undertake stage 2 of works at the Victoria Park boat ramp.
KANGAROO LAKE | GORTON POINT
The Gannawarra Shire Council will fix the damaged jetty at Gorton Point after receiving $240,000 in funding.
OCEAN GROVE | NORTHERN JETTY
The City of Greater Geelong will use $120,000 in funding to refurbish the damaged northern jetty at the boat ramp.
GLENELG RIVER | SAPLING CREEK JETTY
The Glenelg Hopkins CMA will utilised more than $100,000 in funding to replace the current jetty with an all-abilities facility which will improve access to the Glenelg River.
LAKE FYANS | MARINA BOAT RAMP
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water will be upgrading the Lake Fyans Marina boat ramp with an $84,000 grant.
FALLS CREEK | ROCKY VALLEY DAM
The Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board received a $116,000 grant to install a new concrete boat ramp at Rocky Valley Dam.
LAKE EILDON
Five boat ramps around Lake Eildon will be refurbished by Mansfield Shire Council with a $74,000 grant.
PORT PHILLIP BAY | RYE BOAT RAMP
Rye boat ramp’s jetty will receive almost $100,000 in funding to repair the jetty.
WESTERN PORT | TOORADIN BOAT RAMP
The floating jetty at Tooradin boat ramp will receive $10,900 in funding for improvements.
OTHER BOATING NEWS
In other boating news, the Minister for Fishing and Boating has announced an upgrade to the Apex Park boat ramp at Lakes Entrance. The upgrades will enhance access to the boat ramp for recreational users of all abilities. While the designs are being finalised, it will include installing new signage at the boat ramp as well as redeveloping the gangway and floating pontoons at the eastern jetty.
Also at the Gippsland Lakes, works are continuing on the North Arm boat ramp to provide improved access to the lakes and Bass Strait. So far, the ramp has been resurfaced, a new floating pontoon has been installed and coastal protection works completed. Further works will include improving the eastern jetty and relocating the fishing gantry.
Ahead of the 2018 state election, VRFish advocated for the return of recreational boating registration and licence fees to a Trust Account to build, maintain and improve Victoria’s recreational boating infrastructure.
