COVID-19 delays misappropriation of BoatingNow funds.
The lock-down restriction for Sydney and Wollongong has halted the extension of the floating pontoons at Hanging Rock boat ramp. The current pontoons are in the lease area of the Batemans Bay Marina managed by Marprop the Sydney developers. Lot 11 DP 124295
What this means is that a private entity will receive a direct benefit from the boating and registration fees of boaters and fishers collected in the Boating Now fund. How can this happen? And continue to happen year after year?
In July 2020 the local Member for the Bay Andrew Constance and now the Minister responsible for Maritime issue announced that $300,000 would be allocated to the Hanging Rock boat ramp area:
“Building a 30-metre long boat rigging bay, upgrading the boat wash-down area with improvements to the pavement and an additional tap, extending the southern pontoon and upgrading signage and lighting at Hanging Rock boat ramp at Batemans Bay on the Clyde River;
The program is funded from boating licence and registration fees”
It appears there has been no consultation on when to close the boatramp especially now during the school holidays.
The Association has been in contact with the Council Project Manager who confirmed that the Wednesday total closure of the boat ramp will not go ahead and a future announcement will be made when the crane from Wollongong will arrive.
The official would not comment on the issue of building infrastructure within an un-managed Marina lease area or if the Marina Park permit had been obtained for this work.
The Association has attempted to contact other stakeholder such as the RFA, BB Game Fishing Clubs and the Australian Jet Sports Boating Association to see if they had been consulted but it appears no direct consultation has taken place.
The Association supports any investment made by Council or Maritime to meaningfully improve maritime infrastructure such as pontoons, boat ramps, fish cleaning tables and associated lighting. The allocation of funds to the direct or indirect benefit of a Sydney developer and or Council to improve tourist facilities or even Tasmanian oyster hatchery investors at Brierleys boat ramp at Moruya has to be questioned.
The continued lack of consultation with knowledgeable and involved stakeholders is currently an ongoing issue within the Shire. See sale of Community Land.
The question is will it change when a new set of Councillors is sworn-in in September or will the current bureaucrats continue to run and spend ratepayers money with impunity?
