Bay bar dredging delayed to after busy holiday period.

On the 29 September 2019 the Association wrote a FB post to inform local boaters and others about the dredging of the Batemans Bay Bar during the period 7 October to 20 November.  The dredging was as a result of a petition the local marina initiated to try to increase the “safety” of those crossing the bar during the summer months as vessels traverse the east coast of NSW – not to mention the increase in income as a result of this access.   The petition received 461 responses so the Local Member responded and with the usual rent a crowed announced the investment in this “important project”.

The facts around the reason and the unintended consequences of this particular operation depositing the dredging spoils in the middle of the Bay were ignored and only vested interests listened too.

On the 8 November the Association again raised the question of why dredge the bar now See https://www.facebook.com/BBBoaters/posts/838914683189664   More Dangers within the Bay.

Again the Association raised concerns but highlighted the consequences and stated: The dredging should be delayed until the GHD modelling and investigation is complete. (This consultancy is funded by Transport for NSW).  The Association has for a long time held that introducing the sand back into the bay will have dangerous unintended consequences that could cause water inundation of the locals properties and even the CBD.

We appealed to the local Minister to stop the dredging during this busy holiday period.

So what went wrong?  The Marine Notice S01948 threatening fines of up to $5,500 if any vessel violated the safety parameters of the area and gave a guide to safely navigate the area.  But who reads these non-legal notices?  Well this particular notice has disappeared, gone, removed.  Why?

So is the dredging going ahead?

Clearly the SandPiper Dredging didn't get the message to not come back and fix the mess they created last time in 2016 for a cool $355,955 because their dredge arrived in the bay during the first week of December- well after the Marine Notice said they would have completed the operation.

Now the BB Boaters Association again raised the alarm highlighting the potential dangers of unlit floating dredging pipes across the Bay and the dredge positioned on the Clyde River entrance as unfamiliar holiday boats set out to sea not knowing which side of the dredge to pass.  This is in conjunction with the unsafe and potential fire hazards within the Batemans Bay Marina.  And of course the electrical dangers.

We appealed to the Minister in charge of Maritime and yes thankfully he saw the sense of this appeal and has just recently had the dredging delayed until after the holiday period.  What of the Marina?  That discussion will be delayed until 2020 but the Department of Lands visited locally and have taken steps to force the issue.  More on that later.

How did we know?  You may well ask?  Not from the official Notice to Mariners, RMS Marine Notice, Maritime or even from the Minister’s office but from good old fashioned investigative walk-the-walk and talk to the locals.

Boaters Association solves the Bridge open and shut case

The Batemans Bay Bridge has been closed by the Minister for Transport because of the horrific fires raging along the northern shores of the Bay and the Clyde River.  This decision, under what ever authority, is welcome in the circumstances.

At this moment there is only one visiting yacht in Nelligan which may wish to travel eastwards through the bridge to exit the Bay within the next few weeks.

In past years, especially over the busy holiday period, the opening of the bridge has been restricted to times between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am and given 24 hour prior notice.  This worked for visiting yachts and larger vessel who could plan their journey without disrupting the traffic flows wishing to cross the bridge.  A practical solution for a short period but we now have continued emergency times requiring decisive action.

The real question of an emergency vehicle wishing to urgently cross the bridge during a lift sequence is just not an issue as the operator can suspend the lift, stop a vessel in its tracks, lower the road and open the booms and the emergency vehicle can use the road to get across. 

The likelihood of the bridge getting stuck in the up position is very very small because many modifications have been made since the last incident when operator error caused it to jam and the support engineer could not get to the bridge due to the traffic jam and him having to walk more than 2 kilometres to reach the bridge – thus the delay.

The Government has spent many dollars addressing the risks of failure.  They have trained the operator on what to do and the backup resources are only a phone call away.  The computer software has may checks and the other risks balanced and where possible eliminated.

The major danger to the bridge’s lift operation is the cutting of power to the bridge, traffic signals, booms and computer systems without notice.  Now this has happened more than once during the replacement bridge construction.  The result is the bridge team has to be called and all systems have to be restarted and synchronised – not a simple task.  In general, if electrical disruptions are planned, the generator is started and the whole operation works like a digital clockwork.  Oh, for the old days of mechanical clocks and “as smooth as clockwork”!

So what is the problem?

Two main issue.  The first is the right of all vessel to have free passage to the waterways and particularly to the port of Nelligen.  This is a balance between the State desire to close the waterway access and the Commonwealths right to have free passage for vessel on our waterways – particularly the Murray River in the days of old when the wool clip had to get to the coast for shipment to Europe.  Now that right was written into the Australian Constitution (Sec 98) and remains to this day dispite the NSW government spending taxpayers money to find a way round it before they block off the Clyde with a bridge height of only 12 meters.

The second issue is the Innes Ferry and a very few others, wishing to demand their right to this free passage and have to bridge lifted twice a day so they can continue their lucrative business during the busy holiday period.  These vessels have this right and the Boaters Association supports this right.

Now lets be reasonable during these difficult times.  Is there a compromise which would satisfy the community, the commercial interest of the ferry and the visitors to the Bay both on land and on the water?

A simple solution is to relocate the starting point of the ferry to the west side of the bridge.  To the west of Lions Park at the location of the current oyster growers jetty.  There is adequate parking, the water is deep enough for the ferry and the river flow is very slight.  The ferry would require some basic infrastructure to embark and disembark less mobile passengers like a floating pontoon and a person-friendly on-ramp.  The ferry could refuel at their dedicated wharf at Nelligen.

The internationally reputable marina builders Bellingham Marine have concrete pontoons and on-ramps sitting ready to move out of their factory in Brisbane.  They shipped four truck loads to Bermagui on Monday this week for the new marine there.

The current equipment on the three huge barges in the Bay at the moment is more than sufficient to drive four piles into the river bed and attach the floating pontoons.  No water or electricity is required.  So that has sorted the engineering problems.

So what is standing in the way of the Minister for Transport for NSW picking up the phone on Monday and just saying “do-it”.  Well for one it would be the Batemans Marine Park Authority giving approval to sink the piles into the river bed – not dissimilar to the two lone piles on the southern bank to secure the small barge.  It would also require Crown Lands to approve, even on a temporary basis, the construction of this piece of infrastructure.  Then there is the inevitable Director of Infrastructure Services at the Council who has on many occasion refused any discussion on placing pontoons at this location in Lions Park.  Does he have the veto?

OK, Minister, use your very persuasive powers and position to get this done and use the same authority that was used to close the bridge to build this temporary piece of infrastructure before the busy holiday period starts and social media lights up with abuse, vitriol and misinformation.

Eurobodalla Shire Council Banned water use at Boat Ramps

The Shire has moved from level 1 to level 3 water restrictions which comes into effect this Monday – December 2.

What that means is that there will be:

• No boat motor flushing at any of the Shires boat ramps
• No rinsing of your fish catch and cleaning of the tables at boat ramps.  The taps have been turned off.

The Shire state that if you wish to flush out your motor it has to be done over a grass area.  If you wish to wash the salt off your vessel that has to be done with a bucket but only between 6 and 8 am and 6 and 8 pm.  A final rinse with a trigger nozzel hose.

If you wish to clean the seagull encrusted fish cleaning tables that has to be done with a bucket using sea water.  Do not let it run back into the sea because that would be pollution under the Act.

Now we all want to save water and this is just one step in the right direction. Support this effort and make suggestion on how other measures may be implemented.

Will you be able to take a shower after playing a sport at the venue?

What about taking a shower after a swim at one of the Shire's pools?

What happens in the local marina? Do they again have an exemption?

How can the Shire help the fisho’s?  

Install seawater pumps and connect them to the existing piping so that people you can clean the fish, tables and surrounds with good clean sea water fresh from the sea.

Now that's a good idea and would save the Shire the ongoing maintenance of the boat ramps they so dislike.

Budget Blow-out at the Batemans Bay Bridge?

The BB Boaters Association Inc represents all forms of recreational and commercial activity on the water of the South Coast of NSW.  Our members enjoy the waters off the town of Batemans Bay as well as travelling the tranquil reaches of the Clyde River to the historic trading port of Nelligen. 

In 1956 a steel vertical lift truss bridge with a maximum height of 34 m was built across the Clyde at Batemans Bay.  The lifting span could be raised on request when both recreational and commercial vessel wished to travel these waterways. 

The Clyde River was first found to be navigable in 1854 and has been a vital link from up-stream to the sea since that time.

 

In 2015 the Local Member and then treasurer Hon Andrew Constance announced that a new concrete bridge would be built to span the Clyde River at Batemans Bay to replace the current bridge due to “road traffic delays”. 

The height of this new bridge is only 12 metres.  This will deny the continued access by trading and commercial vessels plus most recreational watercraft to Nelligen.  We believe this unilateral decision by the NSW government will breach our rights of free passage under Maritime Law and may contravene a section of the Australian Constitution. 

The final design for the bridge was announced in 2018 and John Holland, a wholly owned Chinese company, won the tender for the construction for the sum of $274 million. 

The Association understands that the current built schedule is at least six months behind planning due in part to a few significant accident which has shut down the Mogo concrete manufacturing facility.  

It is our understanding that the Transport for NSW Departmental flood modeling due diligence report undertaken by GHD has been critically reviewed and brought into question.  The visual evidence of water flowing over the large concrete "boat" structure atop the in-river piles is quite different from the modelling results and that is only at a spring tide and not during a flood. Photo shows average tidal condition.

There appears to be a blow-out in the budget with speculation that it may well be three times the allocated budget. The Association will investigate if the budget for this roads and Infrastructure project has in-fact been adjusted which, if it is the case, will see NSW taxpayers having to fund any shortfalls.

The Foreshore Master Plan

The Master Plan and Activation Strategy is a BOLD and BRAVE document put together by the Tasmanian consultants with some great ideas.  Do read the detail and complete the survey.  Their effort and that of the Council hands-on Council project manager should be congratulated for all the effort this weekend. Well done A.R. 

The process to select participants could have been improved and the advertising much wider and longer plus a schedule of pop-up events would have helped.
The consultants listened and explained their views.  Some good others ..very poor like closing the south side boat ramp is not accepted but many other ideas are good.
The choice between a "Youth Central" and an existing boat ramp is not an either or choice as per the survey form - so dont be fooled. Object.
The boat ramp is not a decision made by Council.  It is Dept of Lands paid for in the most part by boat licence fees. So dont any Council employee think that it will be closed down without either a big fight or some negotiation of an off-set for alternative facilities.
Like what?  More floating pontoons at say the oyster farms jetty west of Lions Park.  Not a new idea.

So what next?
Will these ideas be negotiated away by the power that be? Will there be no money to go forward? Or will all the ideas be collated, dissected, reviewed and consolidated to pop out the answers that the powers that be and vested interests want?
Well take a bold step into the sunlight, be transparent, get moving and just do something NOW to show that the Council is serious about activating the foreshore and improving the water land interface.

Batemans Bay Foreshore - Ideas -- Whose ideas?

Council has denied the Boaters Association a site on the foreshore this weekend where they hope to promote ideas and event to activate the area.

The Association was actively involved in the Bridge Replacement Foreshore Committee and realised that many of the good ideas put forward during that process were going nowhere.

We wrote a document “A Game Changer for the Bay CBD” see here where we proposed floating pontoons parallel to the CBD and many water based activities to energise this great venue. This document was widely distributed to the Local Member, Hon Andrew Constance, the Shire and others. It was presented at a “Town Hall” meeting back in July of this year. The document reached the Shire’s consultants Inspiring Places who were employed to come up with a plan for the foreshore and how it could be a nucleus for activities and functions to stimulate the area. All contained in the Associations document.

The one-on-one discussions with the consultants was fruitful and insightful. They have experience in Tasmania and some great ideas BUT their brief had been limited by the inevitable vested interests along the foreshore.

The Association requested a meeting with Inspiring Place prior to this week-ends display of their recommendation so that we would not be in conflict with their ideas. This was denied by the Council employee.

The Association requested a stand on the foreshore during this week-end along with other Associations and business . This was denied because our desire to promote boating on the Clyde, the installation of floating pontoons and ideas for the CBD “does not align with their (Councils) purpose.”

One can only ask why is Council shutting out ideas and an Associations wishing to promote the Bay?

Furthermore in the current State of Emergency ahead of catastrophic fire warnings the Mayor can not find time to meet with the Association to brief her on the potential fire and safety dangers within the local Batemans Bay marina. The Department of Land alleges that the Fire Safety Equipment and certificates are non-compliant – a fact we have been raising for more than three years.

Is this just another attempt to stifle information and the Association’s attempt to make the waterfront a safe and vibrant place?

Batemans Bay - a potential unsafe zone

With the Batemans Bay marina a potential unsafe zone it now appear we have a further danger area during the busy holiday period. The bay itself.

Floating unlit dredging pipe extending from the Bay bar area right across the water to the middle of the inner bay area. In fact from the bar to the isolated danger mark north of the sand bank. Why is this a danger.

The Minister for Transport for NSW stated in 31 January 2019 “The Maritime Infrastructure Plan notes the importance of maintaining accessible navigation channels in key investment locations, including the Batemans Bay (Clyde River) entrance channel,” said Mr Constance. More on keeping navigation channels open next week.

Mr Constance goes on to say “NSW Government will invest almost $450,000 into the Clyde River entrance bar for dredging in the coming months” The Association believes this is money from boaters licences and fees managed by the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office and not other Government funds.

The Ministers' response was motivated by a petition raised by the Marina based on questionable assertions and data. It received only 461 responses.  The manager stated “Our local member has listened, acted and will deliver a project that puts the safety of local and visiting boaters at the fore.”

Well Minister act now for the safety of the boating public and delay the dredging until after the holiday period or until the GHD study finds out that happens to the sand within the bay.

The Marine Notice S01948 Navigation Restriction - Entrance Bar to the Clyde River, Batemans Bay - Dredging operations. Will soon be out of date.

The Notice states: The dredging operations are to take place from Monday 7 October 2019 to Wednesday 20 November 2019. The notice states” Dredging operations will occur during daylight hours only, however the dredge and associated equipment may remain in position outside times of operation.” Yes at night.

Further “Vessels are required to maintain a safe distance and speed from the works” a fine of about $5,500 could apply if you contravene this. So when crossing this dangerous bar keep your speed down because you may impact these works rather that adjust your speed for the safety of the crew of a vessel crossing the bar. That is just good seamanship.

No work has started on dredging the bar.

So if it continues it will take place during the busy holiday period and be a danger to boat leaving hanging rock boat ramp and going to sea.

See our post https://www.facebook.com/BBBoaters/posts/807269843020815?__tn__=K-R

Furthermore, as the Association has stated previously it should be delayed until the GHD modelling and investigation is complete. (This consultancy is funded by Transport for NSW) The Association has for a long time held that introducing the sand back into the bay will have dangerous unintended consequences that could cause water inundation of the locals properties and even the CBD.

Minister Constance: You are responsible for these projects, please delay the dredging now, not only for safety reason but wait until your consultancy has some answers. The Association is still waiting for answers from our Critical Analysis of flood damage caused by the new bridge given to RMS and your office.

More dangers within the Bay and Bar

With the Batemans Bay marina a potential unsafe zone we now appear to have a further danger area during the busy holiday period.

Floating unlit dredging pipe extending from the Bay bar area right across the water to the middle of the inner bay area. In fact from the bar to the isolated danger mark north of the sand bank. Why is this a danger.

The Minister for Transport for NSW stated in 31 January 2019 “The Maritime Infrastructure Plan notes the importance of maintaining accessible navigation channels in key investment locations, including the Batemans Bay (Clyde River) entrance channel,” said Mr Constance. More on keeping navigation channels open next week.

Mr Constance goes on to say “NSW Government will invest almost $450,000 into the Clyde River entrance bar for dredging in the coming months” The Association believes this is money from boaters licences and fees managed by the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office and not other Government funds.

The Ministers' response was motivated by a petition raised by the Marina based on questionable assertions and data. The manager stated “Our local member has listened, acted and will deliver a project that puts the safety of local and visiting boaters at the fore.”

Well Minister act now for the safety of the boating public and delay the dredging until after the holiday period or until the GHD study finds out that happens to the sand within the bay.

The Marine Notice S01948 Navigation Restriction - Entrance Bar to the Clyde River, Batemans Bay - Dredging operations. Will soon be out of date.

The Notice states: The dredging operations are to take place from Monday 7 October 2019 to Wednesday 20 November 2019. The notice states” Dredging operations will occur during daylight hours only, however the dredge and associated equipment may remain in position outside times of operation.” Yes at night.

Further “Vessels are required to maintain a safe distance and speed from the works” a fine of about $5,500 could apply if you contravene this. So when crossing this dangerous bar keep your speed down because you may impact these works rather that adjust your speed for the safety of the crew of a vessel crossing the bar. That is just good seamanship.

No work has started on dredging the bar.

So if it continues it will take place during the busy holiday period and be a danger to boat leaving hanging rock boat ramp and going to sea.

See our post https://www.facebook.com/BBBoaters/posts/807269843020815?__tn__=K-R

Furthermore, as the Association has stated previously it should be delayed until the GHD modelling and investigation is complete. (This consultancy is funded by Transport for NSW) The Association has for a long time held that introducing the sand back into the bay will have dangerous unintended consequences that could cause water inundation of the locals properties and even the CBD.

Minister responsible for these projects delay the dredging now not only for safety reason but wait until your consultancy has some answers. We are still waiting for answers from our Critical Analysis of flood damage caused by the new bridge.

Budget Blow-out at the Batemans Bay Bridge?

The Association Inc represents all form of recreational and commercial activity on the water of the South Coast of NSW.  Our members enjoy the waters off the town of Batemans Bay as well as travelling the tranquil reaches of the Clyde River to the historic trading port of Nelligen.

In 1956 a steel vertical lift truss bridge with a maximum height of 34 m was built across the Clyde at Batemans Bay.  The lifting span could be raised on request when both recreational and commercial vessel wished to travel these waterways. The Clyde River was first found to be navigable in 1854 and has been a vital link from up-stream to the sea since that time. In 2015 the Local Member and then treasurer Hon Andrew Constance announced that a new concrete bridge would be built to span the Clyde River at Batemans Bay to replace the current bridge due to “road traffic delays”. The height of this new bridge is only 12 metres.  This will deny the continued access by trading and commercial vessels plus most recreational watercraft to Nelligen.  We believe this unilateral decision by the NSW government will breach our rights of free passage under Maritime Law and may contravene a section of the Australian Constitution. The final design for the bridge was announced in 2018 and John Holland, a wholly owned Chinese company, won the tender for the construction for the sum of $274 million. The Association understands that the current built schedule is at least six months behind schedule due in part to a few significant accident which has shut down the Mogo concrete manufacturing facility. 

It is our understanding that the Transport for NSW Departmental flood modelling due diligence report has been critically reviewed and brought into question. There appears to be a blow-out in the budget with speculation that it may well be three times the allocated budget. The Association will investigate if the budget for this roads and Infrastructure project has in-fact been adjusted which, if it is the case, that will see NSW taxpayers having to fund any shortfalls.   

Batemans Bay Bar to be Dredged - Again

The Marine Notice has been issued to inform boaters that there will be Navigation Restriction during dredging operation which will take place from Monday 7 October until Wednesday 20 November 2019.

See official Notice here https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/…/so1948-entrance-bar-to-the-cly…

As always vessel owners should operate their vessel with caution when in the vicinity. It is expected that the dredging pipe will be in place for the duration of the dredge while the barge may only be in place during daylight hours – same as last time in 2016 and in 2012.

The notice state: “Vessel operators should continue using the Clyde River Bar Leads as an aid to navigation when crossing the bar.” The Association has been pushing as hard as we can to get a Notice to Mariners posted when the leads are moved because they do not indicate the best passage over the bar and you adjust but when they move them you dont know and you run aground. Currently they are well outside the area they should be on the Australian AUS 191 chart but that is a technical issue which skilled Mariners would only notice. See Photo in 2016 when they indicate the channel way to the north then last month when they indicate the channel way to the south.

It appears that unlike the last time the bar was dredged the current dredged sand (spoils) will be reintroduced into the water in the area of the isolated danger mark – right in the middle of the Bay. Why there you may ask? There has not been a single digital or physical model undertaken by any organisation as to the sand movement within the bay. There is the diagram drawn for the BB Coastline Hazard Management Plan in 1997 from the original Patterson Britton & Partners 1992 document. See below. While indicative it may not be correct.

This clearly shows that when the dredged sand come out of the dredging pipe next week they will move towards the north west beach area of Surfside or more likely back out into the bay and again be deposited on the bar or in the bay off Corrigan’s Beach.

2016 sand deposited before removal to Surfside

How does the Association or in fact anyone else know this? We dont. It is all speculation and even with the local knowledge base of the Association members we can not predict what will happen. So how can this happen in this day and age of GHD modelling of the impact of civil works on the northern Surfside beaches and elsewhere in the Bay. Do I have to state the obvious – vested interests have again come into play to try and prop-up the desire by politicians and bureaucrats to just be seen to do something.

See the Critical Analysis post GHD Study

Members of the Association have been calling along with many others for a scientific study to be undertaken on the movement of sand within the bay and this to feed into a benefit cost analysis of when, why and where dredging should take place if at all.

With the new bridge under construction and the flood and flow analysis so under a cloud why would anyone sign-off on dredging the bar and then adding that sand back into the bay thus confusing any previous analysis. It is just madness.

NSW Maritime’s ‘Boating Now Program – what does the future hold?

In the late 1990s NSW Maritime introduced the “Better Boating Program” (BBP) where funds would be provided mainly to Councils in NSW to build new infrastructure or upgrade existing facilities for the boating community.

The funds were derived mainly from Recreational and Commercial boating licences and registrations. In 2014 the program name was changed to “Boating Now Program” (BNP) which concludes in 2019.
One significant change was with grants provided by way of the BBP where regional councils were required in the majority of instances to contribute 50% of the project cost. As an example the cost of upgrading the Crowdy Head facility (mid-North Coast) in 2003 was $169,662 and council was required to contribute $84,831.

With the revised BNP the contribution was relaxed with many grants to assist councils in upgrading facilities. As of July 2019 there are still 74 projects approved by BNP to potentially be completed by conclusion of 2019. From the 1st July 2019 NSW Maritime has been incorporated into Transport for NSW and there has been no announcement pertaining to a replacement program for the BNP for 2020 and beyond.

What is the future for improved infrastructure for recreation and commercial boating in NSW and where will the revenues from Licences and registrations be allocated … Consolidated Revenue?
Dennis Donald, Project Officer,
Amateur Fisherman’s Association of NSW
From AFLOAT October 2019

The last round of funds we received in the Eurobodall went into expanding the car park at Nelligen and an improved ramp and car park at South Durras - that is right next to the walkway and fishing platform. Two of the best boat ramps we have in the Shire - no comment on why

So if you are unhappy with the situation and want to focus attention on improving your local boat ramp facilities complete the ESC survey.

Highlight the lack of floating pontoons to secure and access your vessel, the poor fish cleaning tables, the lact of preparation areas and wash down facilities plus the usual BBQ and seating for the tourist to watch you come and go.

Here is the survey link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DM3JXR2

Lost Opportunities of the BB Bridge

Lost Opportunities of the BB Bridge

At an Open Forum a number of concerns were expressed while two great opportunities were discussed. They are not new ideas having been presented to the Bridge Foreshore Advisory Committee (FAC). However both seemed to have slipped between the cracks in the RMS creative writing report “Summary of feedback from FAC” or was that the ideas being so good they were swept under the carpet.

First Opportunity presented is to reconfigure the northern foreshore road network to make it more free flowing, simple and more accessible to cars and people. It addressed the major concerns regarding the old punt road boat ramp and accessibility.

In summary the slip road going south would be moved westwards away from the residential area, terminate in a T junction or roundabout but the main feature is that coming down the road one would be able to see the Bay before you and the new viewing platform on the north shore. The car parks would be on your left – an easy decision to park and walk through Korners Park to the viewing platform. The car parks are moved to park side of the road (safer for kids) not the confusing layout proposed by RMS.

If you wish to launch your trailer boat, again an easy decision move forward to enter the preparation area. After getting your boat ready you swing right and reverse down the proposed two lane boat ramp and into the water. Launch your vessel and secure it to the floating pontoon just down stream. Return to the vehicle and park it in the appropriate spots. Now that is an improvement. No confusing route decisions and no confrontation with other cars or boaters.

Now the water settling pond used to collect the water and oil run off from this side of the bridge. This pond would be relocated from the proposed position to the east of the slip road and towards the residential area at an elevation that would require a earth bank rising up to the trees and the apartments. This would significantly reduce the noise to these residents, improve the visual impact and in fact increase the water area to turn it into a feature rather than an imposition.

Those walking from the south would cross the bridge on the eastern side of the four lanes, descend a flight of steps (reduced number) or a zig zag path, and walk towards the river only requiring one crossing of a minor road not as RMS proposes a pedestrian crossing at the slip road where cars will be approaching at 60 or 80 Km/h and then two further road crossings if you can not use their steps. Now this opportunity is innovative, logical, practical and safe. So why was it swept under the carpet and not even get a mention in the “Summary of feedback from FAC”….. well you tell me.

Second Opportunity not discussed for other reasons. Again not new but embraced by the Minister for Transport for NSW at a very early stage but dropped like a hot potato when the bureaucrats got into his ear.

Observation Deck or viewing platform at the middle of the bridge. 

This will enhance the tourist potential of the new bridge by locating a cantilevered semi-circular observation deck at the highest point of the new bridge. It would add 1.5 m to the already wide cycle and pedestrian path at the highest point - middle. (Will you be able to see the Bay from the outside lane of the south going lanes? – not unless you drive a semi-trailer)
One could stand on this observation deck and view the wide expanse of the bay with an information panel pointing out the current and historic features of the town and bay. It could also be the joining place between the aboriginal heritage aspects of the northern shore with the more modern town center of the southern shore with its water based history. Now why was this alternative not mentioned in the above document and also swept under the carpet?…… well you tell me.

The presentation of the “Game Changer for the Bay CBD” – the community proposal for more floating pontoons was well received with a flurry of communication after its release.

The audience attending at the Open Forum was disappointing but as the organisers were told by many, the civil engineering aspects of the bridge have been signed off and the steamroller moves forward so we can do nothing to change those aspects.

Well, what of the other factors which can be changed because they are years away from construction, such as northern road layout, T-wharf, boat ramps and cycle paths - well who cares, it is not in my back yard and anyway it is all done and dusted and I’m just too busy to attend a Saturday evening meeting. Just fill by beer and pass we another snag.

A Game Changer for the Bay CBD

A Community Proposal has been developed which recommends the installation of 200 meters of floating pontoon parallel to Clyde Street in the Bay’s CBD. This will improve the access to and from the water, rejuvenate and reactivate this area. It is downstream of the new bridge adjacent to the proposed viewing platform at the site of the old bridge. These pontoons extend toward the Promenade and give extra capacity for all form of vessels, cruise ship tenders, ferries, kayaks, fishing charters, visiting yachts and even seaplanes for scenic tours.

This goes much further than the John Holland’s proposed two pontoons but builds on the work that they have committed to. It moves the focus further into the CBD to the Promenade and address the issue of Clyde Street becoming a dead-end road.
It is recommended that the current concrete T-Wharf be modified and the end section removed to allow a movable on-ramp to extend from the shore to the floating pontoons secured to the sea-bed via integrated vertical piles. The pontoons will be 4 meters wide and run parallel to the shore right down to the start of the Promenade walkway. There will be a wide break in the middle so boats, kayaks and canoes may travel inside the pontoons and come alongside at any state of the tide. The second on-ramp will be at the Ampol wharf – outside the Starfish Deli to give access to the downstream section.

A secondary site specifically designed for smaller vessels and particularly seaplanes will be constructed at the current Mara Mia Walkway Pier viewing platform down stream from the start of the Promenade.
The pontoons are not only a marine infrastructure but a nucleus, in fact a Game Changer, for further business development, entertainment opportunities and information dissemination. This could become the hub for an all year round tourist location looking towards the water and Bay and not to the car parks and concrete.
The proposal could be funded partly from Dept. of Lands and Dept. of Transport – Maritime Boating Licence fees and other sources but could be the nucleus for further initiatives consistent with a number of Strategies and Action Plans adopted and proposed by the Shire and other bodies for the South Coast.

Long on-ramp at Bermagui

This proposal goes much further than the current suggestion in that it enhances the water land interface, provides increased capacity and improves access to the CBD for the boating and on-water community. It is designed for safety, functionality and disability access.

Kiama ocean pontoons

It will provide a catalyst for the activation and revitalisation of the area and bringing tourist and local expedition based activities right in to the heart of the Bay with:

• Facilities for Cruise Ship tenders
• Ferry rides up the Clyde
• Oyster information tours to leases
• Bird observation tours
• Fishing trips
• Sail the Bay excursions
• Seaplane scenic flights locally or further afield
• Kayak and canoe hire offerings
• Revitalise the on-land area via pop-up activities such as music events, produce markets, art displays and fishing demos and displays.

The document proposes a primary and secondary site, gives the parameters and estimated costs of the structure and the installation. It answers many of the questions encountered while developing it. The justification to do something in this area is widespread and has been included in many other documents. The next step is to get acceptance and funding.

The Game Changer document can be downloaded here.

T-Wharf - Location of start of floating pontoons

Batemans Bay Bridge Urban Design and Landscape Plan

The local Member for Bega and Minister of Transport announced last week the closing down of the Bay Bridge Foreshore Advisory Committee (FAC) – holding a large photo of the proposed concrete T-Wharf and pontoons. This was a great disappointment for many of the community members of FAC. We have seen better alternatives at a FAC meetings earlier in the year.

This is a start and has some advantages but does not go far enough to improve the water land interface. The advantages are that the T-wharf pontoons put that area of the CBD front and center in the public's mind about the impact the new bridge will have on the Bay Foreshore.

John Holland and others proposes we maintain a 40 year old concrete wharf with no facilities and dangerous piers and append to each side some ill-designed floating pontoons with steel or concrete piles on the outside.
A cruise ship tender will not fit between the piles so the gap between vessel and pontoon is too wide for anyone to step off. Yes, mind the gap.
The on-ramp dominate the pontoons just waiting for some child to crawl under and be trapped as the pontoon moves up with the tide or passing ferry.

The Ministers statement includes “The existing T-wharf will be retained for those who currently require the fixed structure including local businesses and fishing groups.” Who are these local business and which fishing groups? The dive boat operator who has a mooring adjacent to the T-Wharf has been given his matching orders with no opportunity to return. So lets get these vested interest identified and ask why do they and not the FAC have such influence.

If you go to the interactive map (who paid for that extravagance?) Clyde Street will become a dead-end – yes a Cul-de-Sac. There are no on or off access roads from the new bridge like there are now. To get to the current boatramp you have to travel down North Street turn left under the new bridge – and then what? Turn into the reduced parking area and try to turn to back your trailer down the boat ramp. It is possible but exceptionally difficult. Gone is the turning road, preparation area and wash down section. Yes we have gone backwards.

What will happen to an interstate bus wanting to access the foreshore? Turn left into Clyde Street, negotiate a calming mini roundabout and proceeded to the dead end to attempt to turn and exit back past the CBD. Where will these buses park and take on passengers? We don't know because the traffic flow analysis has not been released.

The statement on Friday by the Minister flanked by those with direct interest in the foreshore was a big step backwards for the fishing and boating community. The local business particularly those with access from Clyde Street will have to be asking questions. Why is this major development in the Bay so ordinary and lacks vision and initiative? How will this improve the tourist economy of the Bay? What signature location will get them to stop and not continue southwards?

The FAC put forward many ideas – a viewing platform at the apex of the new bridge, lift towers for improved disability access to the bridge, moving the southern boatramp from under the shadow of the bridge to the west of Lions Park to name a few just on the south side.

This announcement while welcome will now give the community the opportunity to comment and show there concerns about how ordinary and lacking in vision the proposed foreshore is going to become. This is a missed opportunity to revitalize the CBD, make it a hub for tourist to want to come too. How about opening a tourist information Kiosk, a local produce display centre, a starting point for oyster information tours or sail the bay or whale watching expeditions?

That will not happen from this proposed wharf and pontoon. Lets extend the pontoons down stream for 200 m to the Promenade with a break in the middle for kayaks, canoes and smaller vessel to come inside. Make the pontoons wide so people can fish from them and add lights water and other facilities to attract yachts and passing vessels.

The Association submitted a comprehensive document “A Game Changer for the Bay CBD” to the Minister last week highlighting how adding the extended pontoons correctly designed could activate and rejuvenate this area of the CBD. We wait his response. The Shire and community will get the opportunity to comment on the Association’s proposal.

Batemans Bay Independent Coastal Impact Assessment

What happened to the GHD "Wave Study"? or to give it its real name Batemans Bay Independent Coastal Impact Assessment.
Yes the one that was going to address the concerns of the Surfside Community about the new bridge's larger piles contributing to the down stream erosion on the North Shore. It was also used to close down discussion about extending floating pontoons downstream from the modified T-Wharf.

The study was completed in March - it may well have been peer reviewed by an "American Professor" but it is not freely available to the wider public. Why?

And what of Stage Two? Any truly independent targeted study would have answered many outstanding questions and given quantitative data plus highlighting the difficulties of building any structure on sand let alone a boat ramp in a locally known shifting sand area. Or is that just another sop to the locals boat owners to keep them in line?

The RMS Batemans Bay Independent Coastal Impact Assessment  Stage One – Impacts of the Batemans Bay Bridge Replacement Project  March 2019 has been reviewed and submitted to the Executive Director of Dept of Transport for NSW in the form of a Critical Analysis which may be read Critical Analysis of GHD Stage 1 Assessment