More funding has been delivered for much-needed upgrades to key boating facilities across Victoria, as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Better Boating Fund Structural Maintenance Grants Program.
The program opened to ramp and asset managers in February, and grants awarded will help undertake significant maintenance projects such as new ramp surfaces, replacing pontoons and accessibility works.
In the state’s east, the most significant funding was awarded to East Gippsland Shire Council, with a $577,000 grant to help redevelop facilities at Metung’s Shaving Point boat ramp. The existing concrete dual-lane ramp, jetties and floating pontoons will be replaced, while work to reduce sand build-up will also be undertaken.
In the state’s north, Campaspe Shire Council has been awarded a grant of more than $270,000 to overhaul Echuca’s Victoria Park boat ramp. Gannawarra Shire Council also received a grant worth $240,000 to provide a new fixed jetty at Kangaroo Lake’s Gorton Point after the previous structure was damaged by wave action.
The City of Greater Geelong will now be able to upgrade the damaged northern jetty at Ocean Grove boat ramp through $120,000 in funding. Further west, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority received more than $100,000 to replace the ageing Sapling Creek jetty with an all-abilities facility to boost access to the Glenelg River.
In Victoria’s north-west, an $84,000 grant will help Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water upgrade the Lake Fyans Marina boat ramp.
In the north-east, Mansfield Shire Council received a $116,000 grant to install a new concrete boat ramp at Falls Creek’s Rocky Valley Dam, while an additional $74,000 package will see five boat ramps refurbished at Lake Eildon.
In Port Phillip Bay, nearly $100,000 in funding will be put towards jetty repairs at the busy Rye boat ramp and Western Port’s Tooradin boat ramp will also undergo $10,900 worth of improvements to the floating jetty.
The grants are funded by the Better Boating Fund which is delivering on a promise the Labor Government made at the 2018 election to ensure all money from the licence fees and recreational vessel registration of Victorian boaters goes to improving boating infrastructure and programs.
The Department of Transport and Better Boating Victoria will manage the fund’s distribution, having already made it free to park and launch at Victorian boat ramps – and has embarked on the most significant boat ramp construction program in the state’s history.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said, “These grants will ensure ramp managers have the funds to upgrade and maintain their facilities, also benefiting the thousands of Victorians who use them each year by improving accessibility and enhancing safety.”
“This is another fantastic example of how we are putting Victorians’ boating licence and recreational vessel registration fees to work, delivering strong outcomes by re-investing in boating infrastructure and other programs.
For more details on each of the funded projects, visit www.betterboating.vic.gov.au
