Eurobodalla Fishing & Boating Network

 The inaugural meeting of EFBN

A group of fishing and boating clubs came together at the Catalina Club on Sunday to form the Network namely:

• Batemans Bay Bowling Club Fishing Club,

• Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Fishing Club,

• Batemans Bay Game Fishing Club,

• Narooma Sportfishing and Game Fishing Club,

• Narooma Bowling Club Fishing Club,

• Malua Bay Fishing Club,

• Tomakin Sports Club Fishing Club,

• Bateman Bay Boaters Association Inc

It was a great meeting of like minded individual with a common goal. The draft Objectives and Goals is out for comment but is shown here for those Clubs who may wish to join to consider.

Objectives

To promote fishing and boating in the Eurobodalla through the sharing of information, ideas and initiatives.

The Network is a body of volunteer and non-commercial entities that came together to promote the goals and interests of the fishing and boating community.

To maintain the individual organisation’s independence but to facilitate a simple contact point from and to Government, Council and semi-government bodies for clear communications, consultation, negotiation and information sharing.

Goals of the Network are:

• To promote effective consultation and communication between all government bodies and the Network and our members
• To promote the installation and maintenance of marine infrastructure for all to enjoy
• To facilitate our communities recreational time on and close to the water
• To promote safe boating and fishing for all participants
• To advocate for navigation and safety aids, facilities and installations within our recreational area
• To encourage children and the less able to participate in the activities we promote
• To encourage sustainable fishing practices
• To pursue and secure the rights of our community to free access to the public waters and resources of our area.

Tactics and Action Plans

A number of actions were initiated at the inaugural meeting. Some have been implemented while others will come to fruition later. The delay in the local Council election has set back some initiatives while the lockdown has fostered others.

The details of progress will be communicated via the Network's communication and other media.

Hanging Rock Progress - Communication from Council

 Hanging Rock Progress - Communication from Council

The Association received a progress report on the Hanging Rock Boat Ramp from the Eurobodalla Works Engineer. We appreciate this communication and congratulate him and others on moving forward. He mentioned that this project since the Ministers announcement has had five false starts!

The progress so far is two new wooden surfaced floating pontoons have been attached to the end of the northern pontoon. This has potential and a number of cleats have been added – some need to be moved. The pile is still unclad.

Short white road lines have been added to the top of the boat ramp which is a start. The light near the cleaning table has been upgraded as has those at the wash down area.

Here are the commitments:

• Boat rigging area - There will be upgrade work undertaken.
• Fish Cleaning Table Shelter - Council has received a grant from the Fisheries Trust to construct a Shelter over the fish cleaning tables.
• Lighting - two solar lights to be installed on the second end pontoon pile of each pontoon structure.
• Cleats on pontoons – Council has ordered them.
• Southern pontoon edging damaged – Council has engaged a contractor to replace them.
• Northern Pontoon Canoe, Kayak and less able access – Council will install a low level pontoon and a sign to alert users of this pontoon.
• New lines and reflectors at boat ramp – Council will complete the works.
• Wash down area taps – To be looked at and maybe an addition tap.
• Wash down area kerb – Agreed to remove a portion of the concrete kerb at the wash-down facility.
• Cleaning table taps - Brass fittings taps with lengths of hose will be fitted on a trial basis.
• Exit tie down area – to be considered as part of traffic flow plan.
• Saltwater tap at fish cleaning tables - Not trivial to implement will consider in future project.

This boat ramp is the main regional boat ramp used by over 80 vessels on a good day during the Christmas and Easter holiday periods. The recreational sea area in the vicinity is ideal for locals and tourist to enjoy. Unfortunately it has been neglected for years and many visitors have moved further south to Moruya and Bermagui or even north to Ulladulla.

Since the fires the number of vessels purchased in the region has risen dramatically as has the number of people moving out of the cities looking for a more enjoyable lifestyle. This precinct could become a gem on the coast and a standout feature to attract visitors, to just enjoy a day on the water, to hold regattas and competition.

The boating and fishing community looks forward to working with Council during the concept and planning phase to make this become a reality.

BB Boaters Interview ABC Radio South East

 This is an Interview with Simon Lauder ABC Radio South East

Simon Lauder: When it was announced that $300,000 would be spent to upgrade the Batemans Bay boat ramp at the mouth of the Clyde local boaties for chuffed at the news however the plans have now changed and it's not such good news according to the Batemans Bay Boat Association the President Harry Watson Smith who joins us this morning.

Thank you very much for joining us to talk about this now where is the latest information on this coming from?

Harry: We found out about this project when the Council tried to close the boat ramp for a day during these school holidays. We got a copy of the Engineer’s diagram and trying to relate that to what Minister Andrew Constance had approved. He had approved the southern pontoon safety upgrade, extended it and put some lights in but when we found the plan of action it was completely different.

So about eight of us, local boaties, the game fishing clubs, fishers and other boat users, we called Council and thankfully two of their Managers came to an on-site meeting and we talk through what they were proposing and what we think should happen.

Simon Lauder: OK so from what was announced and what is in this Engineers report or what's before council at the moment Harry what's the difference what's changed in the plan?

Harry: There are two significant differences, firstly the approval was for the upgrade of the Southern pontoon. A pontoon is what you tie your boat to when you have launched it or when you return from fishing. That means upgrading the surface which is wood, there are splinters, the plastic on the sides are chipped and broken and the pile and the pontoon has a gap and any kid can put their hand down there and get crushed. So we really applauded the Minister for allocating money to address these safety issue but it is not going to happen.

And the second point on the northern pontoon over the years the end pontoon has been adjusted so older blokes like myself can easily get into our vessels because it has been lowered quite near the water and we can step into our boats. Kayaks & canoes can also come along side and the overhang will not protrude and turn them over. That not going ahead either because that's been taken away.

So for safety and accessibility this is really a big point as are the lights which I can talk about but those are secondary issues.

Simon Lauder: What explanation were you given Harry from the council as to why the plan has changed so much?

Harry: There was no explanation. They said they did a survey and I believe that had 57 responses not on this particular topic and they consulted with one small group who actually don't pay the licence fees that funded this project.

Simon Lauder: We will get onto the Council to see if they can tell us more about it. Thanks very much for bringing that to our attention.

Harry: A pleasure Simon I am sure there are many other people listening to your program - show who would contribute their particular experience of how this boat ramp just does not work.

Listen to the interview here: https://drive.google.com/.../1tgeE3d24C1o9IqlMQYd.../view...

Batemans Bay Boat Ramp locked up but lit-up

 


Batemans Bay Boat Ramp locked up but lit-up

Last week a group of Fishos and Boaters gathered at Hanging Rock Boat ramp to meet with the Eurobodalla project engineer and works manager to try and resolve the many issues regarding this Boating-Now funded project.

In July 2020 the local Member Andrew Constance announced a $300,000 upgrade to this location including: 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.

The Association supported this initiative because the southern pontoon is in disrepair, damaged, has piles that are a danger to people and is a trip hazard due to rotting wood decking. The lighting in the area was not fit for purpose and the fish cleaning table was a disgrace at which no person would clean their catch for human consumption.

It has now been established the approved application for the extension to the southern pontoons has been changed and now the working and disability and Kayak friendly pontoons are to be removed and replaced by two wooden pontoons that dont meet the Standard or guidelines. Why did the Council Engineer decide to reallocate the funds to the northern pontoon and leave the southern pontoon in disrepair?

When this information surfaced the group met with Council on-site to see if we could salvage this project. It appears not.

Council is again going ahead ignoring real local knowledge and community consultation and doing what one inside group wants. Remember Mosquito Bay boat ramp light.

The boating and fishing group clearly articulated where we want the $300,000 of our money allocated.

Lighting - At the end of the pontoons, at the top of the boat ramp, at the boat preparation area and at the wash down area.

Road Line Markings – this shows visitors and regulars how the traffic flow works and assists people reversing boat trailers towards the boat ramp. Cats-eyes on the ramp ridges and other appropriate places.

Wash Down Area – the current “improvement” just dont work with a kerb too high for trailers, insufficient taps and inadequate lighting.

Tie Down Exit Area – Currently there is no designated area so after wash down move to this area to prepare your vessel for the road and free up the wash down area.

Fish Cleaning Tables – up grade the taps and surface with suitable roof and lights for this major tourist regional facility.

Signage – this shows traffic flows, where to park and where to perform tasks including safety and information regarding the sanctuary zones of the local Marine Park.

Today Essential Energy contractor replaced the non-working lights in the precinct but not with the design suggested by the group and again Council does what it wants.

Do any vessel owner or fisho have further suggestion on how this boat ramp can be improved.