BB Bridge replacement project

 Update from Transport for NSW regarding the new BB Bridge replacement project.

Boat Ramps to Open

Clyde Street

Clyde Street boat ramp will be reopened on Thursday 17 December 2020, weather permitting.

Old Punt Road

Old Punt Road boat ramp will close again from Monday 11 January 2021 and access to the river will continue to alternate between the boat ramps for the remainder of major work. Signage will be in place at both boat ramps to keep the community informed.

Both Old Punt Road boat ramp and Clyde Street boat ramp will each provide up to eight boat trailer parking spaces, a safe boat holding location, and a boat trailer turn-around area.

TfNSW points out that Hanging Rock boatramp will be open and may be used by vessel wishing to travel upstream. The Association STRONGLY suggest to boat owners to proceed with a high degree of caution if leaving Hanging Rock boat ramp on passage up the Clyde River. If your skills or vessels are not adequate for this area please dont attempt to pass through the exit in unsuitable conditions.

On an outgoing tide with even a slight Northerly wind and any eastern swell the area is very very dangerous.

It has wrongly been classified as smooth water not requiring lifejackets and safety equipment for open water. This was done so Transport for NSW (Maritime) could close the local boat ramps west of the bridge and not reinstate the wash-away temporary boat ramp. One serious accident has already happened in the area as a result of these actions.

Punt Street Boat Ramp Sand Removal

 Yesterday at low tide John Holland’s local contractor arrived at the Punt Street Boat Ramp and removed the build up of sand on the only open boatramp west of the bridge. Well done John Holland for doing this just before the busy holiday period. This will make this less than adequate boat ramp a bit safer for those that wish to traverse the middle reaches of the Clyde River.

The Association appreciated this effort.

Now enforce your own rules regarding trades utes and cars parking in spaces reserved for boat trailers and for staying in spaces longer than the designated time both here and at the Clyde Street Boat Ramp area. This has been an ongoing problem which John Holland refuses to address.

Update: Clyde Street Boat Ramp will reopen - fore the foreseeable future on Thursday 17 December 2020. John Holland has released a notice this morning.

Batemns Bay Floating Pontoons - CBD

 Andrew Constance confirms that the CBD floating pontoons that the Association has for so long been advocating for will be installed as part of the Batemans Bay Bridge Project.

Minister Constance in a Press release this morning Monday 23 Nov 2020 confirmed that the additional work associated with the bridge will be completed in 2023.

With reference to the bridge schedule he said: “Work is also continuing on the new southern and northern foreshores – which will include a public artwork, a mural, a children’s playground and a new floating pontoon on the southern side. The project is expected to be complete in 2023.”

Mr Watson Smith from the Associations welcomes this announcement that the cost of this development will come from the Bridge project and not from the boater's licence fees in the Boating Now Fund.

“The floating pontoons will be an asset to the Bay which all locals and visitors may enjoy. It will facilitate both sailing and other vessels docking right along side the hopefully upgraded and activated foreshore. This brings an added attraction to our waterfront which remain isolated from road access.”

There are a few more pieces to this picture to be announced namely; The upgrade of the dilapidated concrete T-wharf to a fully featured fishing platform with lights, seats, water and fish cleaning tables and recycle bins. This will make it fisho and visitor friendly.

Secondly the upgrade of the southern side boat ramp with pontoons and boater friendly facilities to make it more accessible to the elderly and less mobile who just want to enjoy a day on the beautiful Clyde waterway.

Thirdly the northern Punt Road boat ramp will require extensive remodelling now the new bridge dominates the area with boat trailer friendly roads , wash down areas and suitable parking facilities for the expected surge in demand as a result of the increased visitor arrive.

The Batemans Bay Boaters Associations welcomes the local Minister renewed interest in the marine infrastructure now that he is in charge of Maritime and the Infrastructure delivery office.