Floating Pontoons for the Batemans Bay Foreshore

This is not fake news neither is it some politician standing on our foreshore holding a graphic depiction some promise for some future development.  This may just be the real thing – but don't hold your breath for it to be completed for this summer holiday period.

John Holland is driving in a number of piles to hold an on-ramp and some floating pontoons along the foreshore of the Bay Central Business District.  BUT it will not be completed by the end of this year according to a reliable source within the organisation.

These floating pontoons are close to the water and run parallel to the foreshore walking path.  They permit vessels and kayaks to come alongside and tie-up to access the shops, restaurants, take-away and toilets on our foreshore.  Being lower than a concrete wharf they make it easy for old and young to get into and off a vessel when they are secured to these structures.  They may also be used by a cruise ship lighter when they bring their guest ashore to spend dollars in our community.  For the boating community it gives greater access to Batemans Bay and to the young fishing group they can easily cast a line in the hope of catching their dinner.  A win-win for everybody.

The Batemans Bay Boaters Association has been campaigning for these pontoons – like a wharf but floating, ever since we were part of the new bridge foreshore advisory committee however what was proposed by Transport for NSW as part of the contract let to John Holland was the removal of the more than 50 year old dilapidated concrete wharf and the replacement with a number of floating pontoons connected via a walkway.

The whole boating and fishing community was pleased by that outcome not only because of the location but it was a great improvement to the current structure.  But then the “power-that-be” behind the scenes started to work and before we knew it we found out that a selected “consultant-engineer” had done an independent survey and found that the concrete was despite the obvious disfiguration and rust marks, the structure was sound and good for many more years.

Now, in stepped the local Council who predictably appointed an out-of-town/state consultant group to develop a strategic plan for the Bay Foreshore.  They did all the box-ticking actions like a survey, community consultation, discussion with stakeholders and finally developed a DRAFT plan which was put out for more community input and submissions.  The normal wait as we all expected some radical changes to the preliminary draft as the boating and fishing groups make well argued submission as how to improve this draft document.

The Association had previously written a document “A game changer for the Bay CBD”   https://drive.google.com/.../1fWM1Z.../view and submitted it to the Local Member and then current Minister in Charge of Transport, to John Holland and of course to Council.  It was well received although the Minister stated that he was too busy to read it himself but may be briefed by his Department.

In August 2020 Council call for presentations at one of their Meetings and the Association and many other made the obligatory 7 minute presentation and waited for the final document.  A note for those who follow Council the now ex-Mayor was not at this Council Meeting presentation but Jack Tait asked one of his more searching questions:  “Why was I not invited to the foreshore meeting?” Open your email was the answer.  Our presentation can be read here https://boatersassociation.blogspot.com/.../draft...

The draft was published and to our surprise there was a recommendation to build a new on-ramp and floating pontoons on the foreshore of the CBD.  Who would do the construction and who would pay for the structure….. the boating community does not know.  And what of the concrete wharf?  Well it will remain to be used by the local ferry and other commercial vessels for refuelling and other services.

In October 2020 Minister Andrew Constance announced that the floating pontoons would go head on the foreshore.  https://boatersassociation.blogspot.com/.../floating...

We will have to wait to be informed when the new floating pontoons will be opened and by whom.  May be the ex-local member accompanied by the ex-mayor and her entourage.